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Older Adults & Gambling

For older adults who gamble:

Most older adults gamble.  The favorite gambling activities tend to be lottery or raffle tickets, slot machines or bingo.  They gamble for the following reasons:

  • Have some fun and excitement
  • Win money
  • Give to charity
  • Be with people
  • Have something to do

Gambling suits the needs of older adults very well.  Gambling opportunities are close to home or bus trips to gambling places are provided.  Casinos, bingo halls, lottery kiosks, VLT sites tend to be in buildings that are one level and spacious, and older adults can go any time of day or night,  or any day of the year.  The games are easy to learn and an older adult can interact with other people as much or as little as they like and still feel comfortable.

Risk factors for older adults:

However, situations that can put an older adult at risk of spending too much money or time on gambling include:

  • Unsure about what to do in retirement
  • Unaware of resources and new opportunities
  • Undecided about their goals in retirement
  • Widowed
  • Unhappy in a marriage or with adult children
  • Dealing with a serious medical condition like Parkinson’s Disease, heart problems, or cancer
  • Experiencing financial stress
  • Care giving to adult children or spouse

When gambling is a problem:

There are special things to consider when an older adult’s gambling causes problems:

    • It is easy to hide gambling from other people when there is more free time, fewer responsibilities and less contact with others.
    • Financial damage is often permanent.
    • Problem gambling can lead to feelings of depression, desperation and hopelessness.  Compared to other age groups, older adults are at highest risk of completing suicide.
    • Replacing gambling with meaningful, satisfying, active opportunities is key to recovery.
    • Limiting access to money is more difficult with older adults who live alone and have few supports.  Strategies need to be creative and flexible.
    • Older adults are more successful with reducing or stopping their gambling than any other age group.

When an older adult calls to get counseling for a gambling problem

Keep these things in mind:

  • Very few problem gambling services have staff that specializes in older adults. If having a counselor with gerontology training is important, ask for that type of service.
  • If it is not available, ask the problem gambling services counselor to get advice from older adult services about how to deal with aging issues effectively, or
  • Look for counseling offered through older adult services.  Ask that the counselor get advice from problem gambling services about how to deal with that issue.
  • If getting to the service location is difficult, tell the counseling service that transportation is a barrier to getting the office.  A good program will negotiate with an older adult about how to provide services that match the older adult’s needs.  Some programs will come to the home or can offer telephone counseling.
  • Tell the staff person if you use mobility aids like a cane, walker or wheelchair or if you have vision or hearing difficulties. 
  • Ask if the office building is age friendly with:
    • Easy to open doors
    • Elevator
    • Ramp
    • Railings on both sides of stairways
    • Easy to read signs
    • Front entrances that are clear of ice and snow
    • Handicapped parking

With support, many older adults with problem gambling concerns make changes that lead to happier, healthier lifestyles and relationships.