Older adults are gambling in record numbers. For the first time, a large number of older adults have disposable income. With fewer economic obligations, some retired older adults have increasing opportunities to engage in recreation and leisure activities. Americans view retirement as a time to have fun after a lifetime of responsibility, work, bosses, children, family and mortgages—and gambling seems an exciting form of recreation.
A new report from Richard K. Miller and Associates revealed that gross gaming revenue in the U.S. totaled $80.5 billion in 2009. And, according to Debbie Rull of the Union of Pan Asian Communities, San Diego County has ten casinos with a combined annual gross revenue of $1.5 billion, employing 13,000 workers with an annual payroll of $270 million. Gambling in San Diego attracts 40,000 people daily. Gambling by older adults is big business. Many retirees begin gambling without appreciating the risks.
Data suggest that recreational gambling provides both beneficial and detrimental effects. Among older adults, recreational gambling—like many enjoyable leisure activities—may create opportunities for socialization, mental stimulation, and other benefits. The majority of adults in the United States who gamble recreationally, do so at levels not considered problematic or pathological.
On the positive side, Rani Desai in 2004 found that in comparison to younger adults, older adults expressed fewer negative measures of health and wellbeing. Specifically, increased rates of alcohol abuse, substance abuse, and incarceration—found among younger recreational gamblers—did not occur among older recreational gaming participants. In addition, older gamblers reported feeling happier and had positive subjective ratings of general health then their non-gambling peers.
However, research also suggests that older adults may be particularly vulnerable to some gambling-related problems. Approximately one in twenty adults who participate in gaming have a problem or tendencies toward pathological gambling. Many older adult gamblers with fixed incomes are more vulnerable to financial devastation than younger gamblers. Whereas younger gamblers are more resilient to losses because they can recover income losses, for many older adults gambling can result in permanent poverty.
Older adult problem gamblers are less willing to seek timely help for their addiction. Approximately two-thirds of the older adult population has gambled in the past year. Over the past several decades, gambling participation has grown the most among older adults.
Although gambling can represent a safe way to socialize and spend a few hours being entertained, a small proportion of older adults find that the attraction consumes their focus. If you suspect that you have a problem, resources exist to help you. Between 1999 & 2003, California gambling addiction hotlines reported that calls from older adults increased by 25%. If you or your loved one need help, call the California Council on Problem Gambling (888) 250-2282 or you can reach them on their website www.calproblemgambling.org.
Mario Garrett, Ph.D., is a professor of gerontology at San Diego State University and is currently on sabbatical at the University of Melbourne, Australia. He can be reached at mariusgarrett@yahoo.com
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