Loss of resources and gambling during the COVID-19 pandemic: A three-wave longitudinal study

Background and Aims: This study is based on the Conservation of Resources theory and investigates theimpact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated resource loss on gambling behaviour among Polishgamblers.Methods: The study surveyed 585 individuals engaged in land-based gambling before the pandemic.Participants completed computer-assisted web interviews, responding to questions regarding land-basedand online gambling frequencies, the Problem Gambling Severity Index, and the Inventory of Loss ofResources in Pandemics.Results: The findings revealed significant shifts in gambling behaviour due to pandemic-relatedrestrictions. Land-based gambling declined during lockdowns and the third wave of the study, whileonline gambling surged as gamblers transitioned from land-based venues. Gamblers tended to return toland-based options as restrictions eased. Over consecutive waves, participants reported decreasingresource loss levels. Significantly, resource loss was influenced by gambling frequency rather than viceversa.Discussion: Both types of gambling experienced parallel declines at the beginning of the pandemic, whichsubsided as the new situation became normalised. Players engaging more in gambling experienced moresignificant resource losses during the pandemic. Those with more resources at the pandemic's onsetadapted more readily, whereas individuals with limited resources faced resource loss.Conclusions: Even with stable gambling levels, heavy gamblers at baseline were at higher risk for issues.The dynamics between resource loss and gambling and problem gambling supported the resource lossspiral concept.