If you’ve lost someone to gambling-related suicide, you are not alone.
If someone you love has died because of gambling, the shock, trauma, and unanswered questions can feel overwhelming, with little to no information, support or understanding around the gambling. We are here for you.
Gambling with Lives provides free, confidential, specialist support to anyone bereaved by a gambling-related suicide.
Founded and led by families with lived experience of gambling suicide, we combine compassion, expertise and evidence to support families recover, find a way forward and help prevent future deaths.
Every family’s journey is different. Some contact us days after a death. Others come years later. Wherever you are, we walk alongside you.
We offer the following types of support.
Bereavement support
We provide:
Emotional support
Practical guidance
Support through investigations and inquests
Families at a GwL event.
Our specialist team provide trauma-informed psychological support for adults and information and support on how to care for bereaved children. We can also support and advocate for access to additional local or specialist therapy and support where needed.
Most families feel completely unprepared and uncertain about the inquest process. We can support you to navigate coronial and regulatory processes, helping ensure gambling harm is properly recognised and responded to.
“They understood what had happened to us. Other services couldn’t.” – Bereaved family member
Advocacy and prevention support
For those who wish to speak out or seek answers, we provide safe, trauma-informed advocacy support.
We offer:
Analysis of banking and gambling data and support through this process
Support through inquests and accessing legal representation
Support to raise concerns with the gambling regulator or other government/public bodies
Our work helps ensure:
Gambling-related harm is recognised
Lessons are learned from deaths
Lived experience informs national policy and prevention
When families are supported to share safely, stigma is reduced, and protections are strengthened, which helps to achieve change to prevent future deaths.
“It’s about turning pain into purpose. Speaking out helps protect others.” – Bereaved family member
GwL families and staff at Labour Party Conference with Kevin McKenna MP
Community support
You don’t have to face this alone.
Our community connects people who share lived experience of gambling-related suicide. Through peer support, gatherings and online spaces, families find understanding, connection and hope.
“You don’t have to explain – they just get it.” – Bereaved parent
Families will maintain part of the community for as long as they choose and can receive regular updates and information via emails and access to our secure Family Portal.
GwL families at a community event
Why this work matters
Gambling-related suicide remains under-recognised, and specialist support is rare.
We fill that gap by:
Providing long-term, specialist family support
Reducing isolation and trauma
Supporting accountability and systemic learning
Remaining fully independent of the gambling industry
When families are supported, change becomes possible.
When lessons are learned, future lives can be protected.
Get in touch
If you or someone you know has been bereaved by a gambling-related suicide, please reach out.
Whether you need emotional support, guidance around an inquest, or simply to talk to someone who understands, we are here.
To find out more about the support available, contact the Family Service team by completing this form.
If you are a professional supporting someone with a bereavement related to gambling, complete this referral form.
You are not alone.
Crisis support and in an emergency
If you are in distress, you can call the Samaritans 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 116 123.
If you are concerned about your mental health or feeling suicidal, please contact your GP or 111 for support. If you are immediately concerned about your safety and in crisis call 999 or attend A&E.
