During COVID-19 related lockdowns, when most individuals were basically left to their own devices, many started experimenting with technology in various new ways. Latest studies indicate that the popularity of online gaming Malaysia sites has grown, which may lead to a resulting rise in addiction to gaming. People even go as far as logging into websites for slot games and sport betting such as Regal88.
The advent of worldwide COVID-19 based lockdowns corresponded with a drastic rise in the screen time of many people. Although being free can help relieve some of the restlessness and anxiety that comes from being stuck at home, it also increases exposure to online gambling and advertised products and services. Some countries also noticed that bookmakers also increased ads to draw potential buyers on websites and social media, which can be troublesome for those dealing with a gambling addiction, or those simply suffering from boredom and finding a way to kill time.
Around 350,000 are estimated to be affected by gambling addiction in the UK alone, with as many as thousands affected in Australia. While a few countries, such as Spain, Belgium and Latvia, have imposed some limitations on online gambling in order to try to curb addiction during lockdowns, most of these services remain readily available and highly tempting.
Our everyday lives and routine activities have dramatically changed in a few short months. The physical and mental consequences of the outbreak of COVID-19 have also led to an increased use of online gaming services. Such impacts include:
- Restriction to play sport and going to Casino
As we know, during the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia, Malaysian need to practice social distancing in order to break the chain and the spread of Coronavirus. That is why crowded places such as sport arenas and Casinos are closed. Dramatic rises in online gambling site visitors show that individuals are filling the void by online gambling.
- Boredom
Few of us used to spend hours in our own homes, day after day. Many people started feeling lonely, nervous, and even depressed, cut off from our daily outdoor events, classes, and even workspaces. Not only our wellbeing, but also our work and relationships were pressured by the pandemic itself. Few of us are used to spending so many hours in our own homes, day after day. Many people started feeling lonely, nervous, and even depressed, cut off from our daily outdoor events, classes, and even workspaces. Not only our wellbeing, but also our work and relationships were pressured by the pandemic itself.
In Sarawak, cases involving young people caught gambling online doubled under Covid-19 lockdowns. According to Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister, 1292 online gambling cases were reported in the first eight months of this year compared to 608 cases reported in the same time last year. Indoor gambling activities are also showing a rise, namely 69 cases from January to August of this year compared to 34 cases over the past year. On the other hand, 84 cases of open gambling were identified from January to August of this year compared to 59 cases from January to December of last year.