A challenging job market and reduced furlough scheme have encouraged many of us to try and generate an income whilst remaining indoors, and in the search for financial relief, online gambling might present itself as a quick solution. It’s important, however, to have an awareness of the dangers of gambling addiction, and how easily online gambling can develop beyond your control. There are much safer and more lucrative ways to guarantee yourself some extra money during lockdown.
The impact of COVID-19 on gambling
68% of actively engaged gamblers have spent more money online since lockdown began. These frequent online gamblers are already vulnerable to addiction, and their behaviour in 2020 has been seriously impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, with 40% of the population experiencing a decrease in their disposable income, it’s possible that infrequent betters might look to online gambling as a quick solution for financial difficulty. Online gambling poses the most significant risk of addiction, and it can quickly develop into problem gambling. This addiction is characterised by compulsive spending and the chasing of losses, and it is often compounded by additional disorders.
Instead of engaging in online gambling, there are a multitude of ways to make money during the COVID-19 pandemic, all from the comfort of your own living room.
Five safe ways to earn money
Take part in online surveys and market researches
There are many services offering financial rewards in exchange for a few minutes spent answering questions. You can do this by signing up to a survey site or a company such as Angelfish and responding to the profiles that suit your lifestyle. These are currently held online to comply with UK safety measures, so this is a safe alternative to online gambling and a way to convert your time into money during lockdown.
Transcribe audio
Audio transcription is an ideal part-time job to take on during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a guaranteed source of income that doesn’t require any special tools or skills to get started. Simply grab your computer or laptop, sign up to an audio transcription service for beginners, such as Transcribe Me, and write down what you hear. You can get paid for every audio hour that you transcribe.
Sell old electronics, shoes, clothes and furniture
Spending more time indoors presents a great opportunity to scout out some treasures within your own home. Most of us have completed video games, old toys or unused clothes or furniture lying around somewhere, so why not convert these unused items into a guaranteed source of income? You can easily upload these items to a platform like Shpock or Facebook Marketplace for free, and advertise for people to pick them up at an appropriate price. Selling these items on the internet will not only make your bank account look healthier, but you’ll tidy your living space in the process.
Get part-time work
A social-distancing alternative to picking up hours at a local shop or cafe is to pick up extra work online. Joining a platform such as Upwork, PeoplePerHour or Fiverr means you can select from a range of industries and pick up projects for different companies. This is an easily accessible source of income, which eliminates the risk of loss and keeps you occupied during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Offer online tuition
Maybe you can play an instrument or paint a landscape, or perhaps you’re a pro at football or a particular game. On the web, you can offer your services tutoring or providing bespoke products. You can set the price for your service, and take on as much work as you like. Or if you are fluent in English, Platforms like Cambly will pay you to have conversations with people around the world, with no teaching experience. Online tuition is only getting more popular during the coronavirus pandemic, and so sharing your skills can be a valuable source of part-time work.
Although Coronavirus has caused some setbacks, there are a plethora of ways to earn an extra income from home. Anyone struggling with the increased financial pressures of lockdown should consider each of these options as a way to guarantee themselves additional money while avoiding engagement with online gambling. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented additional financial challenges for all of us, but these are amplified for anyone struggling with, or recovering from an addiction to gambling.
During this isolated time, it’s especially important to take a moment to assess your own gambling habits and speak to someone if you believe that you or someone close to you is at risk of an addiction to gambling.