More help needed for young gambling addicts, researchers say

More needs to be done to protect young people from gambling harms, according to researchers who found them at greater risk of mental health issues.

A University of Bristol study found gambling addicts aged 20-24 were four times more at risk of attempting suicide than recreational or non-gamblers.

Olly Bastiani is lead author of the Children of the 90s study, which has tracked people since birth. He said as people in the study grew up when gambling was less accessible than it is now, it shows so “much more needs to be done” to protect the next generation.

A government spokesperson said it aims to reduce suicide rates by “providing tailored support and tackling harmful gambling habits”.

The findings come after data from 2,801 participants of the Children of the 90s study across 24 years was analysed.

Researchers said their work was unique in being able to rule out other explanations for someone’s suicidal feelings.

Lead author Olly Bastiani said: “This study tracked people from birth, meaning we could look at the long-term impacts of problem gambling, and could rule out alternative explanations that hinder previous studies, such as that people might be drawn to problem gambling as a way of escaping pre-existing suicidal feelings.”

The findings follow a survey published earlier this year by sector regulator the Gambling Commission which suggested 2.5% of the adult population may be experiencing problem gambling.

Martin Jones has been learning about the gambling industry since his son Josh died by suicide 10 years ago at the age of 23.

“He suffered from gambling addiction for six years,” said Mr Jones, from Wiltshire.

“When he first went to university, he lost his first term’s money in a week. In the end, after losing all of his payday [money] for the nth time, it just became too much.”

Mr Jones said he wants to see more action from gambling companies and more power given to councils to decide which shops go on high streets.

“Those who create the harm need to be held to account,” he said.

“Gambling companies, on the high street and online, need a legal duty to prevent harm,” he added.

A government spokesperson said it is implementing a new statutory levy on gambling operators, which is expected to raise up to £100m a year to “fund the research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms”.

A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council said its members have contributed more than £170m to charities tackling gambling-related harm over the past four years.

“Each month, about 22.5 million people in Britain enjoy a bet, on the lottery, in bookmakers, casinos, bingo halls and online, and the overwhelming majority do so safely and responsibly,” they added.

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