High suicide rates plague veterans with gambling problems

A soon-to-be published study found high suicide attempt rate among veterans suffering from problem gambling in Australia.

This latest report, which is being peer-reviewed, comes after details emerged about how New South Wales RSL clubs are campaigning against gambling reforms.

The study, led by Dr Olivia Metcalf a behavioural scientist, discovered 40% of Australian veterans with gambling problems have considered suicide or attempted suicide. She noted though they don’t have civil data to compare to, the figures were still dangerously high.

“That pattern is found in other trauma-affected populations but it seems particularly concerning in terms of veterans and we need to do more to understand this given they are vulnerable to suicide,” she said.

Dr Metcalf’s research revealed veterans are more than twice as likely than the general population to develop gambling addictions. This was buttressed by the fact that 13% of veterans display addiction tendencies within five years of ending service.

She also noted that they are yet to determine if the many poker machines at RSL clubs had an impact on suicidal thoughts and attempt for veterans with problem gambling. 

“We are not able to answer that question because we do not have the data and I think that’s a real concern because of the unique nature of Australia’s gambling environment,” Metcalf said. 

Professor Malcolm Battersby, a contributor to Metcalf’s research, criticised RSL clubs’ close association with gambling. He said RSL clubs are meant to provide care and service to veterans, not exploit them by exposing them to gambling harm.

“It looks like there is some association between trauma and distress, arousal and depression that seems to predict gambling problems and suicide,” Battersby said. 

RSL clubs depend on revenue from poker machines to fund their operations as well as donate to charity. However, their spending on charity is not close to their annual gross gaming revenue.

Head of NSW RSL Margot Smith told members in a recent newsletter they were “committed to finding a digital solution” to “help problem gamblers and to keep money launderers out of our clubs”.

“We provide sustainable and responsible gambling for our patrons, in addition to all of the other facilities and connections we provide in our communities,” she said.  

Australia has a patchwork of gambling laws across the country, although online casinos and online poker are both banned down under, with this creating a thriving illegal offshore market targeting this part of the world.

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