Gambling-related harms and suicide

They can be experienced for a short or a long time, and have a wide range of impacts.

There is a well-established link between gambling and suicide and gambling can be a dominant factor. People experiencing gambling-related harms are a risk group for the experience of suicidal thoughts, attempts and death by suicide.

We want to see a comprehensive range of measures to reduce the risk of harm, and to ensure that everyone can get the support that they need, including:

• Specialist NHS gambling treatment services in England assessing the prevalence and severity of suicidal thoughts amongst the people that they support;
• Reform of the gambling regulatory environment in Great Britain underpinned by a public health approach that aims to reduce harm of products and practices;
• The gambling industry utilising the full range of insights about their customers and intervention actions at their disposal to reduce harm; and
• Investment in building broader social understanding of gambling-related harms and removing stigma.

Samaritans is undertaking a programme of work around suicide and gambling-related harms.

Gambling can expose anyone to harms that contribute to the risk of suicide.

We have developed practical guidance for gambling operators on reducing the risk of gambling related suicide. Operating procedures may differ between land based and online environments, and some sections will be more relevant to certain operators, but there are useful actions that everyone can take. Use the link below to read our guidelines now.