Gambling Addiction among Older Adults: Senior Citizens at Risk

Key Points:

• Up to half of adults over the age of 65 participate in some form of gambling weekly

• Older adults are often overlooked when evaluating for gambling addiction

• Research is lacking on the impact of gambling addiction on older populations

• Treatment for gambling addiction is available for all ages

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When we think of gambling addiction, the image that often comes to mind nowadays is a younger male sports bettor. What many usually don’t picture are individuals who resemble our older loved ones playing bingo, buying scratch off lottery tickets or participating in weekly bus trips to local casinos. 

The reality of gambling addiction is that it does not discriminate, and older populations are at risk for developing problematic gambling behaviors, just as younger adults are. With many life changes including retirement, increased free time, reduced structure, loss of independence or loved ones and changes to health status, it can be a very stressful and potentially dangerous time for older adults. And if an older individual does not have healthy coping skills available to them, they may be at risk of turning to gambling to deal with those difficult situations. 

Gambling Addiction rates in Senior Citizens

A research study out of Glasgow found that over one-third of adults aged 65 and older participate in some form of gambling including bingo, sports betting and online casino games. The study also revealed that those approaching retirement age (55-64) had the highest rates of participating in gambling activities, but those over 65 gambled more frequently, with more than 50% admitting to gambling in some form weekly. 

Statistics shared by the Connecticut Problem Gambling Services show that older adults who participate in gambling activities were also found to have higher rates of alcohol and tobacco use and are more clinically obese versus those who did not gamble. Gambling addiction in older populations also comes with a unique set of consequences compared to younger cohorts who gamble. Older adults tend to be on a fixed income due to retirement, and therefore gambling losses can at times impact their financial wellbeing more. Older adults with gambling addiction behaviors were found to suffer from higher rates of medical issues including angina, arthritis, heart disease, anxiety, depression and suicidality. 

However, research exploring older adults’ gambling is severely lacking, compared to studies done on younger populations who suffer from gambling-related challenges. An article on aging and gambling reported that of 13,423 gambling related publications written between 1973 and 2022, only 344 also related to the elderly or aging populations. 

Worried about your family member's gambling? Connect with Birches Health today by clicking here, calling 833-483-3838 or emailing help@bircheshealth.com

Signs of Problem Gambling in older populations 

Many older adults are able to participate in gambling activities without it becoming problematic. We see elderly communities even supporting these recreational activities by setting up casino trips for residents or hosting bingo nights. While occasional gambling may not be harmful, there are certain behaviors and signs that can indicate that an older adult may be struggling with a gambling problem. These signs can include:

• Using retirement, pension or savings to fund a gambling habit

• Forgoing basic needs like food or medication in favor of gambling

• Increasing the amounts of money risked to obtain the same thrill

• Inability to set time or money limits around gambling

• Being preoccupied with thoughts of gambling

• Lying about gambling habits or hiding them from others

• Experiencing stress, anxiety or depression related to gambling, or using gambling to alleviate or escape from those feelings

• Financial problems as a result of betting behaviors

Potential causes of Problem Gambling in elderly people

There are circumstances unique to older populations that may make them more susceptible to developing problem gambling habits. Reaching the age of retirement has been described as a significant transition that many seniors may struggle coping with. This period can bring forth financial, emotional and lifestyle changes that make the escapism of gambling attractive to many. Other factors that may contribute to gambling addiction in the elderly are:

• Cognitive decline

• Lack of knowledge about gambling addiction

• Being overlooked by healthcare professionals evaluating gambling behaviors as part of health screeners

• Access to larger lump sums of money at a time (Pension, Social Security)

• Increased free time or boredom 

• Gambling behaviors are normalized as retirement activities (bingo, casinos, lottery)

How to protect senior citizens from gambling addiction

One proposed way to help mitigate the risk to this population was to add in a question regarding gambling when an individual reaches the age they could collect their pension. In the UK, financial industries that distribute pensions to seniors are being urged to collaborate with the healthcare industry to help educate the elderly on the risks of gambling addiction. By asking screening questions upon eligibility and even putting overt warnings into literature that speak to the warning signs and treatment options for gambling addiction could be helpful in reducing the likelihood of older adults developing problem gambling habits. 

Gambling addiction treatment for older populations

Gambling addiction treatment for older patients depends on the severity of their gambling addiction behaviors and what is accessible to them. Treatment can include support groups or inpatient treatment if their habits are severe. Individual therapy using techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), have also been proven useful in treating the behaviors associated with gambling addiction. 

Birches Health offers 100% virtual treatment for those who need professional support for gambling addiction. Birches works with therapists who specialize in treating gambling addiction and accepts most major insurance companies to help make treatment affordable. To learn more about Birches or get started, you can: 

• Click to book an appointment 

• Call 833-483-3838

• Email help@bircheshealth.com