As if to light up the problem in gambling on the day that the Gambling Commission has released the standard survey of the state of the industry, 39 year old John Reilly killed himself as his debt, from gambling on the Internet, reached £100,000 and led him astray.

The headmaster at the Sandilands Community Primary in Wythenshawe, Manchester had already lost ownership of his £250,000 home. He would not follow on please by family and friends to seek help. Eventually he hung himself from a tree in a park in Manchester

Gambling has propelled the deteriorating personal life of Mr. Reilly, as he was living with his partner and their two sons, moving from their home to another after the debt was out of control. He was then asked to leave his partner and his sons, and moved in with a young woman teacher at his school.

The lesson, beyond the tragedy of the loss, is to seek help. The Gambling Act, which will surely be brought in when discussing the story, may help such people as Mr. Reilly with greater awareness and less embarrassment related to gambling. In the meanwhile, other comments are being made as well.

One to speak and be quoted is coroner Nigel Meadows who said "This is an illustration of how gambling in our society is as dangerous as drugs and can lead to traumatic relationship and family breakdown."

Obviously an instinctive response, Mr. Meadows is also right. He adds a request from the public, saying that "if anyone has a loved one in a similar position, I would encourage them to seek help."