Does Legalized Gambling Elevate the Risk of Suicide? An Analysis of U.S. Counties and Metropolitan Areas

This study addresses a possible link between suicide & casino gambling. Resident suicide rates are analyzed for a) a 1990 cross-section of 148 U.S. metropolitan areas & b) before & after the advent of legalized casinos in five U.S. counties. In cross-section, metro area suicide is strongly correlated with region, accidental death & homicide rates, age & race composition, & economic vitality, followed by a modest net positive correlation with casino presence. By contrast, the time series analysis yields no evidence of a gambling effect. (43 refs)