Experts question gambling suicide stats used to justify stricter regulation in the UK

Leading experts are speaking out about the accuracy of gambling-related suicide statistics that are being used to push for tighter regulations on the industry in the UK. With political pressure mounting to overhaul current laws, a number of legal professionals are warning that relying on questionable data could lead to poorly informed decisions.

In a letter to parliament last week, MP Layla Moran, who chairs the Health and Social Care Select Committee, called on the government to take another look at the Gambling Act and launch a second review.

Gambling-related harms: MPs call on UK Government to act I UK Parliament (Health and Social Care Committee)https://t.co/qiy5EHoB1p

— Janne Nikkinen (@DocNikkinen) May 10, 2025

Accuracy of 2023 UK gambling suicide report under scrutiny

The Health and Social Care Committee recently pointed to figures claiming there are between 117 and 496 gambling-related suicides each year in England. But Richard Williams, a partner at Keystone Law who specializes in gambling, licensing, and regulatory issues, is questioning how reliable those numbers really are.

“These figures are based on an OHID [Office for Health Improvement and Disparities] report from 2023, which was based on earlier reports using data from Sweden (2018) and England (2020),” Williams told ReadWrite.

“In relation to the English survey, the OHID report states ‘the robustness of their results is questionable due to the small sample size, as only 41 people experiencing problem gambling were identified from the sample of 7,403 adults’ and ‘the output from this paper is not directly applicable to our analysis as we are calculating deaths from suicide rather than suicide attempts.’”

“Whilst I am not a statistician,” he continued, “it is difficult to see how data in these reports, with one involving a different country, can be extrapolated to calculate gambling-related suicides in England. The figures for gambling-related suicides in the Health & Social Care Committee letter may therefore be questioned by the gambling industry in the UK.”

The CEO of the market regulator is advised that his new survey is likely to be inaccurate. His response is not to consider the appropriateness of publishing inaccurate statistics but instead to worry that it will be used to justify legitimate concerns. https://t.co/YWF6fZOrZ7

— Daniel Waugh (@DanielWaugh6) July 28, 2024

In a report from last year, Dan Waugh, partner at Regulus Partners, criticized UK suicide estimates linked to gambling, pointing out they were based on a Swedish study of hospital patients with complex health issues. He argued the methodology was “unsound” and “ignored critical information and clear warnings,” while the study’s authors themselves admitted the data reflected severe cases often involving substance misuse.

Melanie Ellis, a partner at Northridge law firm, also shared her thoughts on the data with us, saying: “The letter from the Health and Social Care Committee leads with data on the number of gambling-related suicides per year in England. However, the figures quoted are unlikely to reflect the true picture, so it would seem unwise to make policies decisions on the basis of them.

“Extrapolating the suicide rate amongst this group to all those classified as experiencing gambling disorder or problem gambling in England is very unlikely to give accurate information, as the groups are not comparable.”

Gambling requests ‘already covered’ by existing codes

However, Williams was clear that he’s not downplaying the serious harm problem gambling can cause. His view, though, is that the industry has only just begun contributing £100 million ($134 million) through a new statutory levy to support research, education, and treatment. He also showcased reforms already set out in the Government’s 2023 White Paper, suggesting that pushing for even stricter rules might be jumping the gun.

On the other hand, the Health and Social Care Committee is urging the government to go further. In a recent letter, they called for tougher action to reduce gambling-related harm, especially when it comes to advertising. They want stronger restrictions, like banning gambling ads before the 9 pm watershed, ensuring ads don’t target or appeal to kids, and cutting back on gambling sponsorships in sports.

Williams responded critically to these additional advertising curbs: “In my view, many of the Committee’s requests are already adequately covered by the CAP/BCAP Codes on gambling advertising, including requirements that gambling adverts must not be of strong appeal to children or young persons and regulating social media advertising.”

Gambling ads must not have strong appeal to children, especially by reflecting or being associated with youth culture. For further guidance on this see our AdviceOnline entry here – https://t.co/JiaDppWNHU pic.twitter.com/Nbo8w79WaG

— CAP (@CAP_UK) May 31, 2023

He also questioned the feasibility of revisiting the Gambling Act 2005 so soon after the White Paper reforms. “In relation to the request for the Government to review the Gambling Act 2005, this process was already started in the 2023 White Paper and most of the proposed measures are in the final stages of being implemented. It’s unrealistic to suggest that the Government will start this review process again.”

‘New gambling legislation not a priority’

Government officials appear to agree. On April 24, Sarah Fox, Deputy Director for Gambling and Lotteries at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), addressed the prospect of further primary legislation. She noted that “any attempt [at reform] would struggle to find parliamentary time in an already congested calendar.”

“The reality is that new gambling legislation is not a priority,” Williams added. “Whilst some of the requested changes could be introduced by Regulations or changes to licence conditions, the more significant requests made by the Committee would require primary legislation and are not likely to be implemented during this Parliament.”

UPDATE: Comments from Melanie Ellis added on May 21st, 2025.

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