Third of highly engaged gamblers have suicidal thoughts, Scottish university study finds

Just over one third of highly engaged gamblers reported having suicidal thoughts, a University of Glasgow study has found.

The study by the University of Glasgow and City St George’s, University of London has said that the link between high engagement in gambling and suicidality is “stronger than previously thought”.

It found that more than a third of highly engaged gamblers (35.4%) reported suicidal thoughts.

Although betting on sports alone was not significantly associated with subsequent suicidal thoughts, once other factors were taken into account, the study found that approximately one in ten people from these groups reported suicidal thoughts three months later.

Researchers called this a “concerning figure”.

“Whilst regular gambling is generally associated with increased risk of harms, our research shows that the risk of suicidal thoughts is not the same for all people,” gambling harms expert Professor Heather Wardle, who led the study, said.

“For those who gamble regularly across multiple products – including slot machines – the risk is far higher.

“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, said the study provides the “strongest longitudinal evidence to date” that heavy engagement across online and land-based gambling carry a “much higher risk of suicidal ideation”.

“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,” he said.

Researchers said the findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions and greater awareness of the heightened risks among people who engage regularly in a wide range of gambling types.

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