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Older Adults and Gambling
Mental Health & Aging Project
Introduction
Older adults have many opportunities to gamble, and often have more free time for gambling than younger people
Casinos offer buses to bring older adults from senior centers and retirement homes; charities offer bingo nights and raffles as older adults' social events
Seniors’ Vulnerability to Gambling
Often dealing with– Retirement– Death of a spouse– Physical and emotional pain– Loss– Loneliness– Lack of social opportunities– Time on their hands to gamble
Casinos target their marketing strategies to attract more senior patrons
Gaming Industry
One of the fastest growing industries in the United States
Legalized gambling is a $40 billion a year industry in this country
Utah and Hawaii are the only states not currently participating in legalized gambling
Gaming Industry cont’d
125 million people in the U.S. are gamblers (The National Gambling Impact Study Commission)
Individuals over the age of 65 represent about 7.2% of this group
Estimates that the country has 1.8 million to 2.5 million gambling addicts
Elderly Gaming
Studies indicate that gambling participation declines with age
73% of those aged 18-24 gambled in the past year
This figure dropped to 23% for those 65 years of age and older
Older adult casino patrons spent, on average, $53.12 each time they gambled
Casinos
More than 500 casinos in operation in 26 states
Concerns have been raised about casino gaming as “economic development” – Of particular concern is the long-term
effect of gambling activities on the development of problem gambling
Addiction on the Rise
A number of studies indicate that gambling addiction is on the rise among older adults in the United States and Canada
Retired adults with disposable income and extra time are particularly vulnerable to legalized and state sanctioned gambling
Addiction on the Rise (continued)
Aggressive marketing tactics aimed at older adults by casinos increase their vulnerability
70% of older adults have gambled at least once in the past year– 11% of these gamblers are considered “at risk” of
experiencing financial problems due to excessive gambling
Addiction on the Rise cont’d
Standard of living for retirees on fixed incomes may become seriously affected by problem gambling
Younger gamblers have time to recover their losses– Older persons who have gambled away their
retirement funds have little or no time to start over
Why Older Adults Gamble
Gambling may provide:– Social support to older adults who are often
isolated– Excitement– Entertainment– Winnings– Challenge– A way to pass time
Why the Elderly Gamble (continued)
Older adults may turn to casinos and racetracks to deal with loneliness
Older adults, particularly women, favor slot machines over other games of chance
68% of elderly gamblers preferred slot machines
Why the Elderly Gamble cont’d
Reports indicate that slots “have the worst odds in the house”
Older gamblers were more interested in the amount of action available, rather than the amount of money won
For about 8% it is an addiction that can cost them their retirement nest egg
Reasons for Concern
1. Targeting of elderly by the gaming industry• Older people are “courted” by the gambling industry
2. Marketing strategies• Senior citizen discounts• Club cards that give 50% discounts on prescriptions
and over-the-counter drugs• Free transportation and meals• Companionship from group outings
Reasons for Concern (continued)
3. Advertising• Federal law prohibits casinos from
advertising gaming activities on radio and television
• Exceptions to this rule a. Excludes Indian tribes that operate casinos
b. State-sponsored lotteries
North Dakota Gaming
No policies in North Dakota to protect elderly gamblers– no policies in place to protect any gamblers in
North Dakota
Four nationally certified gambling addiction counselors serve the entire state of North Dakota
North Dakota Gaming (continued)
Funding to address emerging gambling problems in North Dakota began in 1997
Funding for Gamblers Choice– Services include:
Treatment program for gamblers and their families AssessmentsGroup and individual counselingFinancial counselingEducation
North Dakota Gaming (continued)
Five casinos and the State contribute funds to ameliorate gambling problems
Funds are used to:– Provide a toll-free helpline– Train casino employees to identify problem
gambling behavior among patrons– Purchase literature for display in casinos– Fund referral slots for gambling treatment
Where to Get Help
GAMBLERS CHOICE
Lisa Vig, Director
1325 11th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (701) 235-7341
Fax: (701) 235-7359
www.lssnd.org/htmls/gamblerschoice.asp
Where to Get Help (Continued)
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
www.gamblersanonymous.org
GA Meetings in North Dakota:
www.gamblersanonymous.org/mtgdirND.html
References
Bjelde, K. & Chromy, B. (2005) Casino gambling among older adults in North Dakota: A policy analysis. Unpublished paper.
www.camh.net/Care_Treatment/Resources_for_Professionals/Older_Adults/rtoa_gambling_problems.html.
www.lssnd.org/htmls/gamblerschoice.asp.