The deadly truth about betting: Gambling addicts are more likely to die early, research shows
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Oxford University study shows that problem gambling is linked to early death for the first time. More than half a million Britons are spending £900 a month on their habit and 200,000 are paying out more than £1,800. A gambler who spent 30% of their income on gambling was a third more likely to die within five years than a non-gambler. Even someone gambling a tenth of income was 12% more prone to death.
Chris Bruney took his own life at 25 after developing a gambling addiction. Playtech gave him cash bonuses and free bets before his death. His mother is campaigning for Chris's Law to prevent bookmakers exploiting gambling addicts. There is at least one gambling-related suicide every day in the UK. The average amount spent on gambling was £112 a month. Half of all players spend £10.41 a week. Top 1% of gamblers spent at at most £1,838 a year. 508,000 gambers spend more than £933 per month on their gambling.
I was the boss of a gambling giant. I resigned from the board of the company I co-founded in 2016 because of concern that bookmakers were failing to take effective action to curb gambling addiction. Online gambling has harmed thousands of families across Britain. The industry is in denial. Government should introduce mandatory deposit limits for all online bookies. The government should also protect the young and vulnerable from gambling addictions. Fintan Drury, Paddy Power chairman 2002-2008, believes the partnership between the bookie and the government is a problem. He believes it encourages the addictive tendencies of citizens.
