Heavy gamblers suffer a one-third higher mortality rate then the average person, according to research into gambling habits by Oxford University in the UK.
High levels of betting were associated with the likelihood of death at a higher rate than normal for both men and women, irrespective of age. Heavy gamblers were also more likely to have some kind of physical disability in later age.
Said Dr Naomi Muggleton of the Department of Social Policy and Intervention: “It is unclear whether gambling causes negative outcomes or whether already vulnerable people are disproportionately targeted by bookmakers, for example through advertising and located betting shops in impoverished neighbourhoods.
“Either of these relationships is worrying and could have implications for public health policies.”
The research used bank data of more than 100,000 customers between 2012 and 2018. On average people spent £1,345 a year on gambling against £125 per year by someone who did not gamble regularly.
