Researchers Find Link between Gambling Addiction and Suicide

According to a report from researchers at the University of Hong Kong, around 20% of gambling addicts who sought help at the Caritas Addicted Gamblers Counseling Center had considered suicide. Furthermore, around 22% had thought of killing their families.

The study looked at the 3,685 people who attended the center between 2003 and 2012.

It also found that around 57% of gambling addicts suffer from insomnia and 43% said that they were unmotivated at work. In the non-suicidal group 33% had insomnia while 26% felt unmotivated.
Paul Wong Wai-ching, an assistant professor at the university said, “When we look at the reasons behind suicidal thoughts among gamblers, it is easy to overlook the basic issues of sleep and work.”

The study found that those with gambling problems usually faced multiple other problems in life such as emotional and family problems. The researchers said that a lack of sleep may also lead to impulse behavior.

Next month the report is set to be published in the journal ‘Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention’.