One in five high-risk gamblers have attempted suicide, major study finds

A major study has found that over one in five people with high levels of problem gambling have attempted suicide.

The research was funded by GambleAware and conducted by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). It examines the relationship between gambling behaviour, suicidality and access to treatment.

The survey included more than 11,000 people in Great Britain and included in-depth interviews. Its findings show how complex and often cyclical the link is between gambling harms, mental health and crisis.

22% of high-risk gamblers report suicide attempt

Among people who reported high levels of problems with gambling, 22% had attempted suicide at some point. To compare this with those reporting no gambling problems, it’s fewer than one in ten (8%). People with high problem gambling scores had twice the odds of having attempted suicide.

What is perhaps most striking is that 66% of the high-risk gamblers who had attempted suicide said they linked their most recent attempt to gambling.

“We identified from interviews that efforts to stop or reduce gambling could be a high-risk point for experiencing suicidality. While some participants highlighted that stopping gambling had a positive effect on their mental health, others experienced negative impacts on their mental health and suicidality.” – Exploring the relationship between gambling behaviour, suicidality, and treatment and support – National Centre for Social Research

Crisis points and the cycle of harm

The research has shown how gambling harms can make any existing mental health challenges worse. Financial losses, debt and housing insecurity were described as contributing to feelings of being “trapped” or unable to see a way forward

Some participants went so far as to describe their attempts to stop gambling as high-risk moments. They described how relapse or ongoing urges to gamble could lead to suicidal thoughts.

The study concluded that the relationship between gambling and suicidality is rarely linear. There are lots of overlapping factors like wellbeing, stigma, financial stress and personal circumstances.

Treatment access, complexity and stigma

There was access to support for those experiencing suicidality and gambling harms. However, pathways were not straightforward.

Among those who had attempted suicide and tried to reduce their gambling, 39% accessed NHS mental health services. 34% of those experiencing suicidal ideation did so.

However, stigma is a significant barrier. People experiencing high gambling stigma had 1.52 times the odds of having attempted suicide. Interview participants frequently described shame and fear of disclosure. This prevented them engaging with services earlier.

Access to effective treatment was also made more difficult by personal circumstances, including housing instability and co-occurring mental health issues.

Implications for harm prevention

The findings show there’s a need for suicide prevention to be built within gambling harm strategies. The study notes that critical intervention points often come about during moments of crisis or relapse. Financial situations too.

There was no single treatment pathway described as universally effective. That said, long-term recovery networks were seen as protective. Sustained support reduced suicidal ideation. This provided alternatives and prevented isolation for many.

For policymakers and operators, the research adds further weight to the argument that gambling-related harm must be addressed. This is not only a financial or behavioural issue; it’s a broader public health concern.