This is a guest contribution by Daniel Lipshitz, CEO of Gap 600. Gap 600 is a digital currency company that enables safe and instant Bitcoin SV transactions.

The global COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdowns and shelter-at-home orders, which shuttered casinos and brick-and-mortar betting stores, could prove to be the tipping point for online gaming and gambling.

A GamesIndustry.biz analysis showed that game sales across 50 key global markets rose by 63% in 2020, with sharp spikes experienced as countries went into some form of lockdown. For instance, digital downloads increased by more than 180% in France during the country’s first week of lockdown (16 – 22 March). Similarly, digital sales rose 142.8% in Spain and 174.9% in Italy as these countries went into their respective lockdowns.

Gaming portals such as Paytm First Games and Gamerji also experienced significant increases in online gaming portal users, with 200% and 50% spikes, respectively.