A CORONER has found a direct link between a young mother's suicide and her addiction to poker machines.

Katherine Natt, 24, died in August 2006 after taking an overdose of paracetamol.

South Australian Coroner Mark Johns said a suicide note left by the Adelaide woman indicated she had been addicted to pokies for some time, losing thousands of dollars.

But independent senator Nick Xenophon and the dead woman's mother have criticised Mr Johns for not going far enough.

Before her death, Ms Natt worked at the Adelaide Casino and Senator Xenophon said evidence had been presented to the inquiry to show such workers were 10 times more likely to develop a gambling addiction.

"I was hopeful that there would be further findings made as to the responsibility of gambling establishments - of the casino to its employees and poker machine venues to their employees," he said.

"Clearly there is an issue of shifting the culture.

"And the evidence is clear, if you work for a casino, the risk of developing a gambling problem is much greater and therefore, the duty of care should be much greater."

Ms Natt's mother, Kristine Mathews, said she felt let down by the state government.

"The government is prepared to take money from gamblers, but is not prepared to do anything to protect them from themselves," she said.

"Sometimes people need to be protected from themselves.

"It was so obvious to so many people that Kat had a gambling problem and yet nothing was ever done to assist her.

"I feel like everybody has just failed her and now the coroner has failed me in trying to help other people."

Ms Mathews said the coroner should have recommended stronger regulations to control how much money gamblers could withdraw from ATMs at pokie venues after evidence showed her daughter repeatedly took out large amounts, often on the same day.

In his findings, Mr Johns said from Ms Natt's suicide note and other evidence it was clear she was addicted to gambling on poker machines.

He said she suffered heavy financial losses and became concerned that she would lose the custody of one or both of her children.

"In consequence of these matters, she took an overdose of paracetamol in what was a clear act of suicide," he said.

But Mr Johns said there was no basis to draw a particular link between Ms Natt's employment at the Adelaide casino and her gambling addiction.

He said the woman did not seek assistance from a counselling service provided by the casino and did not raise her problems with management.

Ms Mathews said her daughter did not go to management because she feared she would lose her job.

Casino general manager David Christian said staff regularly received information regarding its problem gambling assistance programs and how to seek help from its trained staff.

"Adelaide Casino goes well above and beyond current regulations as a gaming venue employer and ensures that it provides a safe workplace for our employees, as well as customers," he said in a statement.

"Katherine Natt was a popular and valued employee of Adelaide Casino and is greatly missed."

The coroner has recommended a copy of his findings go directly to Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie following recent indications the federal government may consider new measures to deal with problem gamblers and poker machines.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or visit www.beyondblue.org.au.

Originally published as Coroner links mother's suicide to pokies