GambleAware Research Uncovers Higher Gambling Risks in People With ADHD and Autism

Neurodivergent individuals are twice as likely to experience gambling-related harms, new research by GambleAware shows.

The research, conducted by IFF Research in partnership with the University of Bristol, found disproportionate risks of gambling harms in people with ADHD or autism.

While neurodivergent individuals do not gamble more frequently than others, factors such as impulsivity, hyperfocus, sensory sensitivities and challenges accessing support services contribute to the higher risk of harm.

Both reports were funded through a GambleAware open grant, and the study is the first major study in the United Kingdom to explore the relationship between neurodivergence and gambling harms.

Strong Link Between Neurodivergence and Gambling Harm

The research uses data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), and the release summarized: “The links between ADHD or autism and experiencing gambling harm are strong, with the research indicating that people experiencing those types of neurodiversity were twice as likely to experience negative consequences from gambling as those without ADHD or autism.”

The analysis of ALSPAC data showed that at age 20, individuals with ADHD had a 2.55 times higher likelihood of scoring in the higher risk categories of the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). For those with autism, it was found that they were 1.84 times higher. At other ages, including 17 and 24, similar risk patterns were identified.

The research was undertaken in three phases:

• Phase 1 involved a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) of 48 peer-reviewed studies and statistical analysis of ALSPAC data – a longitudinal birth cohort of over 14,000 children born in the early 1990s.
• Phase 2, led by IFF Research, focused on qualitative engagement with 45 neurodivergent individuals who gamble. Participants included those with ADHD (n=27), autism (n=17), dyslexia (n=16) and dyspraxia (n=7), many with multiple neurotypes.
• Methods included 17 in-depth interviews and a five-day online community with 28 participants, conducted between September 2024 and January 2025.

Participants were recruited to reflect a range of gambling risk levels, with 14 classified as “problem gamblers” (PGSI 8+) and 31 at low or moderate risk.

Online Gambling and Sensory Stimulation Cause Risk, say GambleAware

Researchers found that neurodivergent individuals are more likely to gravitate to online environments, as they offer routine, less social interaction and repetition.

“The speed and style of gambling, particularly forms such as online slots, which involve repetition and sensory stimulation, could contribute to people with ADHD or autism being at greater risk of gambling harms,” noted GambleAware.

A trend in participants with ADHD was that impulsivity and hyperfocus contributed to increased risk. Fast-paced games such as roulette, poker, and slots were especially appealing, and several research respondents described gambling as a “way to maintain dopamine levels.”

Autistic participants emphasized that gambling was a “coping mechanism for social isolation” and also highlighted a preference for repetitive games and visually engaging advertisements.

Crypto casinos often feature identical games and slot machines to those offered by legalized operators. While much is made of the link between using crypto operators and potentially harmful behaviors, no research has been conducted on this link.

Barriers to Treatment and Support

Treatment services exist for gambling-related harm, but many neurodivergent individuals find them difficult to access or unsuitable for their needs. GambleAware stated: “Barriers such as cognitive overload — where overwhelming information leads to confusion or anxiety–impulsivity, and sensory sensitivity made accessing support challenging.”

Of 45 participants, only 7 (15.6%) had accessed formal gambling support, while 13 (28.9%) relied on informal support, such as talking with friends or family. Over half of respondents had not accessed any support, citing stigma or belief that their gambling was “not serious enough.”

Haroon Chowdry, GambleAware Director of Evidence and Insights, called for policy change: “Gambling harms can affect anyone. However, this research shows that people who are neurodivergent are particularly at risk of experiencing gambling harm and may have specific needs in terms of treatment and support.”

Chowdry continued: “It is vital that people know the risks associated with gambling, which is why we are urging the introduction of better signposting and mandatory health warnings on gambling advertising, so people know where to go for help and support.”

“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,” he concluded.

The final phase of the research, running until April 2025, will look to co-design new tools for gambling support providers. These will include a best practice toolkit, a behavior-focused client engagement quiz, and introductory training and video materials for “frontline” staff.

Ara Recovery 4 All, a treatment provider working with GambleAware, is already adapting its services. Guy Hawker, Gambling Service Delivery Manager at Ara, stated: “The research has allowed us to focus on the needs of neurodivergent clients to improve treatment outcomes from initial engagement through to their planned exit of the service.”

“Our adaptations will focus on screening at assessment, and ensuring communication and learning styles are identified, which will support the individual to engage with treatment more effectively,” he continued.

Hawker concluded: “We can adopt more CBT-focused one-to-one sessions and workshops into our treatment, ensuring all our resources and assets meet the needs of those using the service and there is additional coaching support that will make sure people’s needs are being met.”