A recent study has found that 15 percent of Singapore problem gamblers have attempted suicide, local media reported on Thursday.

Conducted by Singapore's National Addictions Management Service at the Institute of Mental Health, the study said that the problem gamblers often have anxiety or depression issues, which can lead them to take their own lives, according to local radio 938live.

The report said that about 2 percent of the Singapore population are probable problem gamblers, adding that the number of gamblers turning up for treatment last year was double that of 2007.

Singapore's total population reached 4.84 million in 2008.

Local expert on addiction Thomas Lee said that a lot more public education is needed for families and health care practitioners to recognize the signs of addiction, adding that the public needs to be aware of the various help-lines and centers available for treatment and counselling.

Singapore will open two casino-based integrated resorts in next year. The government is introducing family exclusion order, self-exclusion order and third-party exclusion order to prevent local problem gamblers from entering the resorts.

Source: Xinhua