New Zealand notices ‘boredom’ gambling spike

Sitting around the house for weeks has taken its toll on many of us, and one of the most common tools is on our ability to stay entertained. Many people, especially those who are social animals, are finding it hard to enjoy the time in isolation. One thing that has been noticed, though, is that many people in New Zealand are actively turning to online casino gaming in a bid to scratch that boredom itch.

Indeed, some 9% of people who already gambled in the country are now admitting to gambling more in a bid to try ease off the boredom. A study that was carried out by the Health Promotion Agency found that there was a significant increase in people taking part in gambling. Of 1,190 people asked, some 39% said they were gambling during a lockdown. 9% said they were gambling more than usual – though some 50% said they were gambling less.

The most common reason given for the desire to gamble more, though, was simple: boredom. With just about everything shut down, there has been a particular sense of boredom for many Kiwis who are used to heading out and socialising or enjoying some pokies wherever they are going.

For many gamers, then, the idea of just sitting around all day got boring weeks ago. In a bid to inject a touch of excitement back into life, some are going the full hog and playing more and more online casinos, pokies, and slots games. Expect that trend to continue right up until the end of lockdown.