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Suicidal ideation among people with different gambling behaviour profiles: analysis of a longitudinal survey of people who gamble regularly in the UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2026

Heather Wardle*
Affiliation:
School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
Karen Wetherall
Affiliation:
Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
Jessica Wyllie
Affiliation:
Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
Sarah Tipping
Affiliation:
School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
Seonaid Cleare
Affiliation:
Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
Martin Jones
Affiliation:
Independent
Sally McManus
Affiliation:
School of Health and Medical Sciences, City St George’s, University of London, London, UK
Rory C. O’Connor
Affiliation:
Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
*
Correspondence: Heather Wardle. Email: heather.wardle@glasgow.ac.uk
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Abstract

Background

People who gamble experience elevated rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Longitudinal studies have been scarce, and none has focused on those who regularly gamble in the UK.

Aims

To examine the relationship between specific products and locations of gambling activity (and their combinations) and risk of subsequent suicidal thoughts.

Method

We analysed a UK longitudinal survey of 3927 adults (18 years old or over) who regularly bet on sports. Data were collected online between June and November 2020. Latent class analysis was used to identify groups of people with similar gambling profiles on the basis of 13 types of gambling activity. Weighted group characteristics are presented. Regression modelling was used to test associations between gambling groups and suicidal thoughts, adjusting for baseline characteristics.

Results

Five distinct groups were identified. One group (5.6% of the sample) reported multiple types of both in-person and online gambling. This group was the most likely to use electronic gambling machines. After adjustment for baseline suicidal thoughts, this group had significantly higher odds of subsequent suicidal thoughts (adjusted odds ratio 3.42; 95% CI: 1.18–9.89) than other groups.

Conclusions

Although many profiles of gambling activity present suicide risk, some types present greater risk. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines recommend enquiry in primary care settings about gambling behaviours. Our findings suggest that clinicians should consider asking questions on mode (online or in-person) and product (especially electronic gambling machines) to identify those at heightened risk of suicidal ideation. Gambling should also be considered routinely in psychosocial assessments across clinical settings and incorporated into suicide prevention campaigns.

Information

Type
Paper
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal College of Psychiatrists
Figure 0

Fig. 1 Proportion of participants taking part in each activity at least once per fortnight (before the COVID-19 pandemic).

Figure 1

Table 1 Gambling activities of the subgroups within the five-class solution

Figure 2

Table 2 Differences between the classes: demographic characteristics, gambling risk variables, well-being and suicidality of the five latent classes at wave 1 (n = 3927)

Figure 3

Table 3 Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts for each latent class at wave 2

Figure 4

Table 4 Adjusted binary logistic regression analyses using latent classes to predict suicidal ideation at wave 2 (n = 3093) with different reference groups

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