What Impact Has Lockdown Had on Online Gambling?

2020 has been a year of changes, and a lot of these modifications and alterations to our lives have been illustrated across the internet and search engines. Whether this has been seen through increased searches for baking recipes or home workouts, Google can track trends and show change over time and comparisons with previous years.

While some were configuring home offices, gamers around the world were contemplating what to do when sports were gradually canceled. One industry that acted as the perfect example of the impact of COVID restrictions was the online gambling industry. As gambling itself spans multiple sectors, it’s interesting to look further into how exactly the industry adapted and changed according to the ‘new normal’.

Searches Show Sports Betting Down Significantly

According to studies, searches for sports bets dropped 57.08% – presumably as people realized there were no live sports to bet on, while casinos saw a 76.18% increase in search volume. Betting on a sport and betting at an online casino offer similar experiences for customers, so it makes sense that those who are unable to gamble in one way may have searched for a new way to do so. Many online casino sites ensured that they were prepared for the onslaught of new customers – especially those new to the industry – with a series of welcome bonuses and promotions.

Lottery Surges in Ireland

As sports were rained out for the months of lockdown in Ireland and even around the world – the Olympics was postponed, which has only previously happened during times of war – those interested in gambling turned to other modes of entertainment. One of these was the online lottery in Ireland, which takes the basic concept of the lottery and scratch cards, and merges them with themes such as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

The digital nature of the lottery benefits from what technology offers, adding an additional layer to the traditional game. Indeed, in Ireland, the malleability of the online casino offering has led to a further appreciation of the online experience.

eSports Sees New Fans

Moreover, eSports still continued to be played. Indeed, the absence of traditional sports and the ability to still watch and engage with those who play online led to a growth in eSports over lockdown. Hours spent spectating on Twitch rose by 99% – from December 2019’s 867 million per month to May 2020’s 1.72 billion. These viewers were retained even after restrictions were eased, showing that many had discovered a newfound appreciation for eSports that continued when conditions were more routine.

Sites Eye Back-Up Plans

The sudden need to change their plans will no doubt have spurned the entire industry to be more malleable in unexpected circumstances. As some things are clearly out of the control of the industry, reactions to these things are not, so many sites will no doubt have strengthened their offering to react to any sudden changes in the future. Many gambling sites already offer a range of different verticals – from lottery, bingo, and casino games, to sports betting – meaning that should one be out of action, the others would ensure loyal customers still had something to do.

The lockdown presented a change for many industries – and many were able to adapt. Restaurants moved to takeaway food, personal trainers delivered classes online, and gambling shifted from sports betting to alternative methods. Whether these were online casinos or lotteries, or even into the realm of eSports, people adapted to their circumstances by discovering new ways to gamble. As sports returned, some even maintained their new hobbies as well.