Reputable British problem gambling support group GambleAware recently published a report highlighting the dangers of gambling harm in neurodivergent players. A set of resources to support therapists and practitioners working with neurodivergent gamblers was also published with the research. The latest measure is part of GambleAware’s relentless effort to safeguard players from gambling harm.
GambleAware Publishes New Resources and Report to Help Neurodivergent Gamblers: A Quick Overview
- The new report highlights the plight of neurodivergent gamblers when seeking support. Problems include a lack of awareness of available specialist treatment, social stigma and fear of judgement.
- The study cites previous research, which highlights that gamblers with ADHD and autism may be more prone to experiencing the dangers of gambling harm. They may gamble as a means to manage social isolation or as a coping mechanism.
- GambleAware has designed the resources especially for therapists and medical practitioners who work with neurodivergent gamblers to empower them to provide the best possible care for their patients.
Neurodivergent Players More Susceptible to Gambling Harm, Finds GambleAware Study
GambleAware, in a press release dated November 17, has announced new gambling resources to assist medical practitioners and therapists working with neurodivergent players to alleviate the dangers of gambling addiction. The charity cited a new report by IFF Research, offering detailed insights into treatment and support provisions for gamblers diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and other neurological disorders.
Previous research has found that neurodivergent gamblers, meaning those suffering from dyslexia, autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and dyscalculia, are more prone to experiencing gambling harm. Independent studies have shown that approximately 15% of the British population, or 1 in 7 people, is neurodivergent. This poses an urgent threat to public health, since UK punters are quite active on online casinos in Ireland.
GambleAware’s research has also found that neurodivergent players often gamble to manage social isolation, as a coping mechanism, or because of increased impulsivity, hyperfocus, and a preference for rules, order and routine. The report cited the experience of an autistic veteran gambler who has been sober for nearly three years.
He explained:
Each day I would gamble, so I felt that I needed to continue doing that. It was also a fixation of associating my favourite hobby, sport, with making money. I had an eleven-year addiction, but, thankfully, I’ve now been in recovery for just two years and ten months. Recovery gave me a light at the end of the tunnel and a new purpose in life.
The latest initiative is part of GambleAware’s constant effort to foster a transparent and safe online gambling environment in the United Kingdom. The charity has published several reports in the past to generate awareness around the dangers of gambling harm. In August, GambleAware published a report highlighting the failure of “safer gambling ads” in preventing gambling addiction, especially among the younger generation.
GambleAware Publishes New Resources and 6 Key Principles to Support Therapists Working with Neurodivergent Gamblers
The latest report by IFF Research also highlights the consistent challenges facing neurodivergent gamblers in accessing gambling support. The most common hurdles include the lack of awareness about the availability of specialist treatment programs, social stigma and the fear of judgement, discouraging people from seeking professional help.
GambleAware’s resources are specifically designed to support therapists and medical practitioners in improving the level of care they provide for their neurodivergent patients. The resources combine research findings, insights gathered from real-world experience and expert guidance, including training materials, toolkits, and case studies, to build confidence, reduce barriers, and promote inclusive, effective support.
The findings are from GambleAware-funded research projects conducted by IFF Research and Ara Recovery, in association with academics from the University of Bristol. They aim to find if neurodivergent gamblers face an increased risk of gambling addiction. The report also published six key principles on which support and treatment plans should be based, to provide the best possible care for neurodivergent players experiencing gambling harm.
These six principles are:
- Understanding and adapting to the diversity of communication needs of neurodivergent people.
- Ensuring clarity and simplicity in communication with gamblers with neurodivergence.
- Providing help and support in a way that promotes the autonomy and independence of neurodivergent players.
- Providing support in an environment that is conducive to the sensory needs of neurodivergent people, minimising the risk of overstimulation.
- Encouraging the use of self-help approaches, including professional support groups and informal peer networks.
- Training staff in neurodiversity awareness and diverse communication methods.
GambleAware’s CEO, Anna Hargrave, noted that the report highlights the complex relationship between neurodivergence and gambling. She cited the primary challenges facing gamblers suffering from various neurological disorders. Hargrave also explained GambleAware’s initiatives in supporting therapists and medical practitioners to better care for their neurodivergent patients suffering from gambling addiction.
Hargrave said:
The new report highlights the complex link between neurodivergence and gambling. Characteristics of neurodivergence like impulsivity, hyperfocus, social difficulties, and a need for stimulation drive gambling behaviour and increase harms, while stigma, shame, and lack of tailored support further isolate neurodivergent people and make it harder for them to seek help. The resources we have produced are designed to support therapists and practitioners working with clients who experience both gambling harms and neurodivergence. They address a critical evidence gap in understanding how gambling harms affect neurodivergent people and how treatment can be tailored most effectively to ensure it is as effective as possible.