Gambling and Disability in Florida

The State of Florida recognizes that an “individual with a disability” is a resident who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) reports that on average, there are an estimated 2.9 to 3.1 million people living with a disability in Florida, representing up to 13.8% of the state’s population.

While there is variation in classifications, there are essentially three primary categories that an individual with a disability fits within. For each category, research confirms that there is an increased vulnerability to problematic gambling behavior. With greater awareness over how problem gambling may intersect with each classification of disability, affected individuals and loved ones may become more mindful of involvement with casino gaming, parimutuel wagering, sports betting, and prediction markets.

Increased awareness also fosters an environment for compassion and better informs residents and households about appropriate channels for getting help. Read ahead for a succinct look at the intersection of problem gambling and disability in Florida.

I. Mental / Psychological Disability and Gambling

This category encompasses a broad range of mental health conditions that may legally be considered a disability when symptoms cause a severe functional impairment that makes it extremely challenging to work, attend school, or manage essential daily tasks. Conditions may include clinical depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and more.

Research confirms a relationship between these underlying mental health issues and problem gambling behavior. For example, clinical research reveals that up to 75% of problem gamblers suffer from symptoms of major depression. Reciprocal factors are often evident, in that those suffering from depression may turn to gambling as a dopamine-producing coping mechanism, while the consequences of gambling behavior may also contribute to symptoms of depression. With recent reports suggesting that nearly 18% of adults in Florida struggle with depression, it becomes clear that the health system must keep-up with expected growth in demand for support services. This is where PlayWise is uniquely qualified, as our network of counselors specializes in problem gambling treatment and cooccurring psychological issues that may be labelled as disabilities.

Call 1-833-752-9947 if you or a loved one struggles with this particular pairing of gambling and disability.

III. Longterm/Permanent Physical Disability and Gambling

Floridians with long-term or permanent physical disabilities may experience ongoing limitations that affect mobility, strength, coordination, or daily functioning. Conditions such as spinal cord injuries, muscular disorders, amputations, or chronic illnesses can require long-term medical care, assistive devices, and accessible living accommodations. Of the 13.8% of Florida residents with a defined disability, the most common are mobility related.

While most understand the association between psychological and cognitive/developmental disabilities and problem gambling behavior, few realize that vulnerabilities also exist for those living with long-term or permanent physical disabilities. It’s important for this awareness to grow so that loved ones, caregivers, public health officials, and regulators can take preventative action where needed. Moreover, spreading awareness to persons with physical disabilities will encourage introspection and mindfulness of their own engagement with gambling. Below is a summary of these vulnerabilities.

a) Gambling to Cope with Mental Health Issues Related to Physical Disability

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that people with significantly limiting physical disabilities have higher prevalence of problem online gambling compared to the general population:

“Online gambling may serve as a more accessible form of gambling compared to gambling at physical gambling venues for those with disabilities affecting movement. Relatedly, a Canadian study found that GD was more strongly associated with physical limitation and use of gambling to regulate mood among those receiving disability benefit compared to those not receiving disability benefit. Another US study found that participants with GD who received disability benefit had stronger GD symptom severity compared to participants with GD who did not receive disability benefit, despite both groups reporting of similar levels of gambling involvement.” (NIH)

Researchers note that problematic gambling behavior among mobility-limited populations is linked to the use of online gambling to manage negative feelings and emotions associated with their limitations, including the following:

• Social Isolation: Individuals with physical disabilities may turn to online gambling to cope with social isolation primarily to seek a temporary emotional escape. The thrill and potential financial reward offer a quick distraction from loneliness, while the interactive features of betting sites mimic superficial social connections without requiring real-world vulnerability or effort.
• Low Self Esteem: Individuals with physical disabilities may use online gambling to cope with low self-esteem because it provides an artificial illusion of control, competence, and superiority. Betting allows individuals to temporarily escape the sting of real-world insecurities and experience a rush of validation when they win.
• Post Traumatic Stress: Individuals may have come to live with a severe physical disability as a result of an accident or acute event, and experience post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These trauma survivors may use online gambling to escape, numb emotional pain, or manage arousal symptoms, leading to an addictive cycle often driven by coping motives and distorted cognitions.
• Grief and Loss: Individuals who become physically disabled often experience grief and loss of abilities to engage in and excel at a variety of activities. Grief and loss may be elevated when such activities were an important part of their self-identity and self-worth. The dopamine rush provided by online gambling allows them to temporarily escape related negative feelings and emotions.
• Depression: Online gambling can be used as a maladaptive coping mechanism to escape feelings of depression related to physical disabilities. People turn to it for temporary distraction, to replace lost excitement, and to regain a sense of agency and control that an illness or injury may have taken away.

b) Gambling to Cope with Financial Strain Related to Physical Disability

Data derived from Google / Gemini AI’s search query research tool uncovers the following monthly queries relating to disability income and gambling, occurring within Florida:

These queries presumably come from Florida residents who qualify for, and receive, government financial assistance to supplement income. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that adults with disabilities (who are collecting disability income) in the United States experience poverty rates roughly twice as high as those without disabilities, which is what makes the observed queries troubling.

The queries likely indicate two things. For one, a number of disabled persons in Florida intend to use limited financial resources to gamble. They then experience compounded financial harm and related anxiety and stress, which leads to a behavior of chasing losses and increased negative outcomes. Secondly, it may be concluded that some consider gambling as a means to supplement disability income.

This irrational manner of thinking is a cognitive distortion exhibited that is refuted when gamblers lose over the longterm. They are then driven further down a financial hole and continue to gamble to cope with associated feelings of anxiety and stress.

In summary, Floridans with physical disabilities experiencing financial stress are a highly vulnerable population regarding gambling harm. Abstinence from online casino gaming, parimutuel wagering, sports betting, and prediction market trading for this group is strongly recommended.