Critics Question Inquest Process over Deaths Caused by Gambling Addiction
Do UK gambling-related suicide families feel left in the dark? Absolutely! They're slamming inquests for not taking into account their addictions when it comes to roots of their loved ones' deaths.
Hanging out at the University of Bath, University of London, and Birkbeck, researchers dug up some dirt. They discovered that inquests shrug off the "impact of gambling companies and the wider gambling landscape" while drawing conclusions. Despite families trying to fraught in evidence and raise red flags about these culprits, the inquests remain silent.
What's kicking family members in the teeth? Studies showing the deadly links between gambling abuse and suicide can't seem to stir a conversation that could prevent future heartbreak.
Charles and Liz Ritchie, co-founders of Gambling With Lives, stress that they're not targeting coroners with their latest findings. They think something much bigger is at play – a lack of understanding about gambling risks, plus its destructive ties to suicide.
Here's where things get messy: gambling companies hoard a treasure trove of data[1]. Families might feel that inquests lack the clout to force these bigwigs to unveil their secrets, which may reveal how their shady practices lead to suicides. And inquests in the UK typically have tunnel vision, focusing on the immediate circumstances.[3] This narrow focus means that they often miss out on exploring broader issues related to gambling companies and their impact on society.
Families demand systemic accountability, a crackdown on gambling companies, and regulatory bodies. They claim that inquests aren't tough enough on these potential villains after a tragedy. In some cases, the inquest system might lack the resources or expertise needed to delve into complex gambling-related suicide cases.[5]
Bottom line? UK families suffering from the devastating consequences of gambling addiction feel let down when inquests don't dig deep enough. They're calling for broader investigations and changes to the current system that reflect the full weight of gambling companies' roles in these tragedies.
[1] Source: https://economichistoryservices.lse.ac.uk/2017/05/19/the-power-of-numbers-gambling-data-and-regulation/[3] Source: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/591d1d4ba5274a0ce2cd2220/OIF_-_Gambling-Regulation_ILS_Web_170719.pdf[5] Source: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/WPContent/Uploads/2020/01/Coroners-表達文 yy.pdf
The lack of acknowledgement by inquests regarding the influence of gambling companies on mental health and health-and-wellness is concerning, particularly in the context of suicide cases. Instead of relying solely on immediate circumstances, it is crucial for inquests to broaden their investigations to include the impact of gambling-and-gambling environment (such as casino-and-gambling) on the society, as families demand systemic accountability and stricter regulations.
