Suicide and Gambling: an Analysis of Suicide Rates in U.S. Counties and Metropolitan Areas

Phillips et al (1997) found that gambling or some factor closely associated with gambling settings is linked to elevated suicide levels. The present study replicated & expanded on Phillips et al’s analyses & came to substantially different conclusions. It was found that the risk of suicide for gaming area residents is no higher than that for residents of nongaming areas & the risk for visitors to gaming areas is no higher than the risk of visitors to nongaming areas.