Gambling is linked to several psychosocial harms, but the most concerning of these is an increased risk of suicide. In the current study, the researchers examined the key risk factors for gambling-related suicidal thoughts. Data were collected from 2,800 people enrolled in a Finnish online gambling support program between 2019 and 2024. Participants completed a questionnaire upon entering the program.
One in five participants in the program had suicidal thoughts. Women were more likely to report suicidal thoughts than men. A lack of social support, gambling-related debt, and higher NODS score indicating more severe problem gambling were risk factors for suicidal thoughts for both men and women. At-risk alcohol use was a unique risk factor for women. These findings can inform researchers, clinicians, and gambling treatment providers seeking to identify people at high risk for suicide.
