Welcome to The Odds:
A comic about problem gambling among neurodivergent teens and young adults.


​All quotes were provided by young adults who are neurodivergent.
​The names have been changed to protect their identities.

Drifting

21 November 2025


"Saying 'I got so much done' can mean survival for me in terms of stress. When I am playing online, especially when I win or am able to grab that amazing loot box, I feel as if I had a great, productive day.

We who are serious players don't stop and start games--we drift from one to another. It's one continuous task.

'Getting stuff done' means many different things to me and other neurodivergents. It can mean:
--I stayed regulated.
--I felt safe while doing my tasks.
--I didn't feel that my time was wasted.
--I avoided shutting down.
--I made it through the day without a meltdown.

These may not seem like huge wins for neurotypicals, but for some of us on the spectrum, it can mean we've made great progress with our coping mechanisms."

Lavender
(my gaming name)
​

Choices

​17 October 2025

​
"I was introduced to a mobile game that became both a healing tool and a harmful distraction — a true double-edged sword.

It started as an amusing little game I played casually, without any real commitment. It had guilds that held real-time battles lasting about 20 minutes. The bonds I began to form with other players drew me in, and before long, I found myself getting more deeply involved. Every spare moment — even while multitasking — I worked to improve my character by any means, sometimes even spending money. Oh boy, I made it to competitive tournaments and even had a exclusive app to face off againist world players. 

The debt and financial strain weren’t even the worst part. The real damage came from how numbing and time consuming the game became. It swallowed up my free time and distanced me from other hobbies.

Despite everything, I’m still grateful for the experience. It taught me what to watch out for in those kinds of games."

Andrew

​

Finding Some
​Peace and Quiet

3 October 2025


"I live right by a casino, but I hate going there. It's all just so overwhelming. I don't understand how people can stand all of the bright lights, loud noises, smells, and crowds. I can't even handle it if someone sits at the slot machine next to me.

"The funny thing is, I have a friend who went to Vegas over the summer with her family. She had a great time in the older part of town where there were old, run-down casinos. She said that those places were kind of disgusting, and many of them smelled like old cigarette smoke. But they didn't have the same level of stimuli, and there were hardly any people there, so she actually enjoyed it.

"That is why I really like online betting. I can play those games alone, in my home, far from the crowds. Unfortunately, as much as I love it, it gets me into trouble as I have no one that knows how much I have lost. There's no accountability to anyone but me."

Chris

Self-Care

27 September 2025

​
"MMOs are avatar-driven, and players like me often invest both a lot of time and money customizing how their in-game character looks.

Things such as skins, accessories, and clothing are often purchased through microtransactions. They can also be earned through repetitive grinding (which can sometimes be linked to gambling-style loot boxes).

For some neurodivergent players, we can obsess on that cycle. We can spend hours farming for virtual items, and if that doesn't work, we will spend our money on those special, one-of-a-kind items.

This can become a real issue, as personal hygiene and self-care can often be neglected. That energy that is normally dedicated to personal wellness, instead, goes into their digital self. I know that I am guilty of this."

Michael

Debt

20 September 2025


Online games can sometimes be dangerous for neurodivergent young people when it comes to overspending:


"Playing at home on my phone in my room means no one’s around to say, 'Hey, maybe take a break.' So, I just keep going without realizing how much time I've wasted or how much cash I've dropped."


"It’s super easy to get locked in on the stats and strategies. You, like, blink, and suddenly hours are gone."


"The wins are instant dopamine hits for me. I know this, but it still makes it really hard to stop once I'm in the zone."

​Roblox Spinning

13 September 2025

​
​"Roblox is kind of like a huge digital playground. There are millions of different games inside it--some are like obstacle courses, some are adventure or role-playing, and some are just for hanging out with friends.

It’s free to play, but a lot of games use a special kind of virtual money called Robux to buy things, such as clothes for your avatar, cool upgrades, or chances to do a “spin.”

A spin is like opening a mystery box. You don’t know what’s inside--sometimes it’s something really exciting, sometimes it’s just ordinary. I sometimes get something really awesome, so it makes excited to keep spinning.

That’s why it’s so easy for me to say, 'Okay, just 6 spins… Well, maybe 10… Actually, 12.' My brain tricks me into thinking the next one could be the lucky one.

It’s fun, but the game is designed to keep a person spinning. That’s why setting a limit before I start playing, and actually sticking to it, is really important."

Raquel

Lucky 11

3 September 2025


"For some people of us on the spectrum, gambling can hold a different kind of appeal. For me, the enjoyment comes less from winning and more from the sensory aspects. I love the feel of the dice and the excitement of seeing my chosen numbers appear. While this can make the experience fun and engaging for me, I realize that it’s important for me to stay mindful of boundaries. The game should remain a source of enjoyment, not become an obsession that leads to financial loss."

Michael

The App Friend

31 August 2025

​
"Online betting apps often send notifications like “Your luck is about to turn!” or “Don’t miss out, place your next bet!”
​
For some neurodivergent individuals like me, who often takes language literally or who strongly respond to social prompts, these messages often feel like personal encouragement from a friend."

Rex

Team Jerseys

29 August 2025


​"For some neurodivergents, a scratchy shirt can trigger intense physical and emotional discomfort due to differences in sensory processing. While some individuals can filter out constant tactile input, my brain often perceives it as painful.

For me, this can sometimes lead to bad decisions. When my brain is consumed with processing an uncomfortable sensation, it has fewer resources available for higher-level cognitive functions. Problem-solving and decision-making can become difficult."

Annie

Snail Race

27 August 2025


"Adults and teens on the autism spectrum often develop strong interests in numbers, sometimes becoming intensely focused or “obsessed.” (I have always loved the number 18.) This can stem from a preference for structure, patterns, and predictability, making numerical systems both engaging and (for me) soothing.

An intense focus on numbers can make gambling especially appealing to some of us on the spectrum, since games of chance often involve patterns, probabilities, and numerical outcomes. However, this fascination may also increase risk, as the drive to 'solve' or predict random patterns can lead to over-enthusiasm and difficulty stopping."

Alex