“Gambling disorder is a hidden addiction.”
Events Leading to Discovery of Gambling
Annie Ashton discovered her husband Luke Ashton had placed over 100 bets per day after his death by suicide on April 22, 2021. Police returned his phone three weeks after his death, leading to the discovery of gambling transactions via PayPal to a gambling operator.
Coroner's Findings
Coroner Ivan Cartwright ruled that Luke Ashton suffered from a longstanding gambling disorder which contributed to his decision to take his life. The coroner found that the gambling operator, Betfair, did not meaningfully interact with him in the two years before his death, stating that opportunities were missed that may have changed the outcome. Betfair's parent company, Flutter, acknowledged they should have done more.
Campaign for Stronger Regulations
Annie Ashton has campaigned for stronger gambling regulations and greater awareness of gambling harm, including in Australia. She described gambling disorder as a "hidden addiction." Flutter stated they have made changes to systems and controls since early 2021 and would incorporate additional learnings from Mr. Ashton's case.
Gambling and Suicide Links in Australia
In Melbourne, a coroner is investigating the death of 22-year-old Kyle Hudson, who lost tens of thousands on sports betting before suicide. The Australian government announced partial restrictions to gambling advertising, not a full ban.
Researchers like Angela Rintoul note the lack of data on gambling-linked suicides, estimating that at least 4% of suicides in Victoria (2009–2016) were related to gambling harm. Dr. Rintoul called for better systems to monitor the extent of harm.