Independent gambling charity finds connection between neurodivergence and gambling harms

A new study by independent gambling charity GambleAware has found connections between neurodivergence and gambling harm.

The research, conducted by IFF Research and the University of Bristol and doctors Dr Amy Sweet and Dr Tim Morris on behalf of GambleAware, indicates that people with, “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and other neurodivergent conditions are twice as likely to experience consequences from gambling compared to their neurotypical counterpart,” according to a story on Gambling Insider today.

Haroon Chowdry, GambleAware Director of Evidence and Insights, said: “We hope the important findings from this research will also be used to inform the future gambling harms prevention and treatment systems, to ensure that they are effective for everyone.”

Released to coincide with Neurodiversity Celebration Week highlights that the repetitive native of slot-like games can be attractive to people with ADHD and Autism, who also may find it more complicated to access traditional methods of support.

Clare Palmer, Associate Director at IFF Research, commented further: “We are excited now to be in the thick of the third and final phase of this research, co-designing tools with Ara and our Advisory Panel of professional and lived experience experts. This key step will ensure the research has a meaningful impact on the future delivery of gambling support services for neurodivergent people.”

• The research confirms that neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD or autism, are at a higher risk of experiencing gambling harm compared to neurotypical individuals.
• ALSPAC data suggests that people with ADHD or autism are twice as likely to experience gambling-related harm.
• Evidence indicates that impulsivity and challenges in risk assessment, common traits of ADHD and autism, may contribute to increased gambling-related harm.
• There is a lack of tailored gambling support for neurodivergent individuals, as most treatment and messaging are designed for neurotypical populations.
• Limited research exists on the effectiveness of current gambling treatments for neurodivergent individuals, highlighting the need for adapted interventions such as autonomy-supportive approaches and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
• Further research is required to explore gambling experiences across all neurodivergent identities, particularly those with dyslexia, dyspraxia, or dyscalculia, as well as the role of intersectional factors such as gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

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