Gambling entertainment itself can be addictive and cause mental health issues, including anxiety, stress, insomnia, social isolation, etc. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified these mental health issues as it became the cause of increased anxiety, stress, isolation, and decreased mental well-being all across the globe. Those two factors combined together can cause a serious breakdown in mental health even in experienced and cool-headed gamblers.
According to a pilot study by the Gambling Disorder and other Behavioral Addictions Unit of the Department of Psychiatry at the University Hospital of Bellvitge (Barcelona, Spain), lockdown together with gambling addiction can lead to severe depression. The study showed that: