Sign in Subscribe
Diseases

Gambling-Related Harm Linked to Increased Suicide Mortality in Study

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study conducted by researchers at Swansea University found a significant link between gambling-related harm and increased suicide mortality. The study, published in the BJPsych Open journal, analyzed data from Wales between 1993 and 2023 and found that individuals with a gambling diagnosis were 30.94 times more likely to die by suicide compared to a matched cohort of individuals without a gambling diagnosis. The research also highlighted the importance of improved screening and coding practices to facilitate greater data linkage research on gambling-related suicide and suicide prevention.

Key Takeaways:

  • A case-control study conducted in Wales between 1993 and 2023 found that individuals with a gambling diagnosis were 30.94 times more likely to die by suicide compared to a matched cohort of individuals without a gambling diagnosis.
  • The study analyzed data from the Welsh Longitudinal General Practice Dataset, Annual District Death Extract, Patient Episode Database for Wales, and Outpatient Appointments Dataset Wales using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank.
  • Predictors of suicidal death, including mental health diagnosis and treatment contacts, were analyzed using binary logistic regression models and chi-squared tests.
  • The study found that individuals with a gambling disorder had significantly more mental health treatment contacts in the months preceding their death.
  • The research concluded that improved screening and coding practices would facilitate greater data linkage research on gambling-related suicide and suicide prevention.

Statistics:

  • The study identified a matched cohort of 92 individuals diagnosed with a gambling diagnosis (mean age 61.5 years, s.d. 13.1; 71% male) who died by suicide.
  • The odds ratio for suicide among individuals with a gambling diagnosis was 30.94 (95% CI 3.57-268.28, p = 0.002).
  • The study analyzed data from 1993 to 2023.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings on Mental Health Diseases and Conditions Reported by Researchers at Swansea University (Gambling, suicide and mental health treatment utilisation in Wales: case-control, whole-population-based study). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 20, 2025; p 346.
  • BJPsych Open. Gambling, suicide and mental health treatment utilisation in Wales: case-control, whole-population-based study. 2025;11(6).

Read more