by Charlotte Morris
The link between high engagement in gambling and suicidality is stronger than previously thought, according to a new study by the University of Glasgow and City St George’s, University of London.
The study analysed data from regular sports bettors, interviewing them at two time points. This included sports bettors who also bet frequently on other gambling products.
- 5.6% of regular sports bettors engaged heavily in online casino games, slots, and land-based slot machine, creating a group of highly engaged gamblers that faced significantly higher suicide risks than all others.
- 35.4% of highly engaged gamblers reported suicidal thoughts and 27.8% reported suicide attempts in the three months after they reported gambling
- While suicide risk was greatest among the most highly engaged gamblers, other patterns of gambling were also associated with a high risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts
Gambling is widely recognised as a major risk factor for suicidality, yet research into how different types of gambling contribute to this has been limited, up until now. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, alongside wider public health responses, and greater awareness of the heightened risks among people who engage regularly in a wide range of gambling types.
They also highlight the urgent need for health and social care professionals to ask about the types of gambling people take part in.
Although betting on sports alone was not significantly associated with subsequent suicidal thoughts, once other factors were taken into account, approximately one in ten people from these groups reported suicidal thoughts three months later. This is a concerning figure, which indicates that gambling companies should recognise the higher overall risk in these groups, even if gambling isn’t necessarily the underlying factor.
“Gambling companies often encourage customers to try more types of gambling, but this practice could significantly increase the risk of suicidal ideation among some individuals.”
Professor Rory O’Connor, who leads the internationally renowned University of Glasgow based Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, also contributed to this research. “Our study provides the strongest longitudinal evidence to date that certain patterns of gambling, particularly heavy engagement across online and land-based products, carry a much higher risk of suicidal ideation,” he commented. “The findings have major implications for clinicians, regulators and suicide prevention efforts, because they suggest that targeted questions about gambling formats could help save lives.”