In January 2025, Norway published the largest cohort study to date exploring the relationship between gambling disorder (GD) and suicide mortality. Led by researcher Joakim Kristensen and colleagues, the study included approximately 7,000 individuals diagnosed with GD who were then compared to a group of around 400,000 individuals with other mental or physical health conditions. 

The findings were deeply concerning. Suicide emerged as the leading cause of death among those with GD, accounting for 25% of all deaths in that group. Additionally, it found those with GD are five times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.

GD is the only behavioural addiction currently recognized in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Also referred to as compulsive gambling, GD is a chronic mental health condition that is characterized by recurrent, maladaptive gambling behaviours that cause significant functional impairment in many aspects of a person’s life including their relationships, work, and finances. 

While most people who gamble do not develop GD, the act of risking something valuable to win something of greater value triggers the reward centers in the brain. This stimulation releases a surge of dopamine, inducing an immense pleasurable feeling. In this way, gambling stimulates the brain similar to alcohol and drug use. This reinforcement effect leads individuals to consistently seek out gambling to satisfy their increasing demands for pleasure, which leads to betting higher amounts over time. 

Aside from financial loss, there are many risks associated with compulsive gambling. Some adverse effects include job loss, dissolution of relationships, trouble with the law, decreased health, sleep deprivation, and extreme stress. These consequences can leave a person feeling hopeless and trapped, pushing some to contemplate suicide as a way out. 

As Kristensen explains, “Research suggests that suicidality in this population is driven by shame and self-stigmatization because gambling problems are frequently seen as personal failings by society. Ultimately, suicide may be perceived as the only escape from one’s problems and distress.”

A 2022 cross-continental research review highlights indebtedness and shame as the primary factors linking gambling to suicidal ideation and death by suicide. The financial burden of accumulated debt and knowledge of substantial money loss is often too much for an individual to bear. Sometimes, they see continued gambling as an opportunity to recover what they’ve lost. This can further the cycle of problem gambling and lead to worse outcomes. At the same time, the intense shame and stigma associated with gambling addiction can stop people from seeking help, and these feelings often plague an individual’s mind frequently enough to lead to suicidal thoughts. 

Noah Vineberg, a recovering compulsive gambler turned motivational speaker and advocate lost over one million dollars to sports betting, virtual games, and slot machines. Having started gambling at 10 years old, Vineberg endured the consequences associated with gambling, including three relapses before complete recovery. He says, “I was out of control and far past the point of no return. I felt that the only way I could possibly provide for my family was by ending it. Suicide was a means to stop the bleeding and possibly salvage something.”

Vineberg explains that “indebtedness makes you face the reality of your decisions. When you step back and assess the damage, you recognize the people you’ve hurt and realize how ashamed you feel. When your personal destruction meets how you have destroyed others that mean so much to you—it feels as though there is nowhere left to go.”

The World Health Organization estimates that GD affects approximately 1.2% of the global population, with the gambling industry projected to generate $700 billion US by 2028. While the proportion of individuals who meet clinical criteria for GD may be relatively small, the profound and often devastating consequences of the disorder underscore the pressing need for more support and intervention. 

Additionally, gambling has become increasingly normalized. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, access to gambling, particularly through online platforms, have been on the rise. Online casinos and sports betting apps are now heavily marketed, often featuring celebrity endorsements, while gambling ads frequently appear in video games and across social media platforms. Current social norms view gambling as a recreational activity, and many continue to spend large amounts of money on lottery tickets. 

Kristensen underscores that his findings position GD not just as a serious mental health condition, but as a significant public health issue requiring urgent action in both clinical practice and policy-making. He advocates for routine screening of individuals with gambling problems for signs of suicidality and suggests that preventive measures addressing gambling-related harm could be an effective approach to lowering suicide rates. Kristensen also calls for more comprehensive research to better understand the direct link between gambling and suicidality, so that further steps may be taken to address the growing burden of suicide as a result of the effects of GD.

Vineberg echoes these concerns, emphasizing the importance of public education, realistic media portrayals of the harmful effects of gambling, and mass promotion of safety and protection practices. 

-Amanda Fernandes, Contributing Writer

Image Credits: 

Feature image: Photo by Adrian Trinkaus on Unsplash; Creative Commons

Body Image 1: Photo by Chris F on Pexels; Creative Commons

Body Image 2: Photo by Leon Pascal-Jc on Unsplash; Creative Commons