The chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), Michael Dugher, recently testified before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on gambling. In his testimony, he referred to Samaritans’ advice that suicide is a complex issue. The Committee was discussing the dangers of addictive gambling products when the suicide of Luke Ashton was mentioned. While Samaritans does state that there are usually multiple factors involved in suicides, a coroner in the Ashton case concluded that a “gambling disorder” was one of the causes of death.
The BGC has denied manipulating Samaritans’ guidance, in response to the charity’s complaint. Samaritans has expressed concerns about twisting their words to downplay the harm caused by gambling products. They likened it to tactics used in the tobacco industry. Samaritans emphasizes the complexity of suicide but acknowledges the established link between gambling-related harm and suicide risk. They also highlight that gambling can be a dominant factor in some suicides.
In addressing Samaritans’ accusations, a BGC spokesperson clarified that Michael Dugher did not manipulate the guidance but quoted directly from Samaritans’ own public guidance. He also acknowledged the findings of the coroner regarding Mr. Ashton’s undiagnosed Gambling Disorder and the failure of the operator’s systems.
Samaritans is currently undertaking work on gambling-related harms and suicide. They state that suicide is usually influenced by a combination of many factors. In their letters to Dugher and Dinenage, Samaritans expressed concern that their messaging is being used to avoid recognizing the link between gambling and suicide risk.
Dugher directly addressed the coroner’s findings during his testimony, expressing sadness about what had happened to Mr. Ashton. He acknowledged the undiagnosed gambling disorder and the failure of the system and operator in relation to Mr. Ashton’s gambling.
Samaritans’ CEO, Julie Bentley, hopes that the upcoming gambling white paper will address the link between addiction and suicide. She also believes that BGC members have the opportunity to enhance safety before any regulatory requirements are implemented. The charity Gambling with Lives, which supports families affected by gambling-related suicides, supports Samaritans’ complaint and accuses Dugher of manipulating their position to conceal the gambling industry’s role in these deaths.
