Gambling and Older Adults

Lister, Jamey J.; Nower, Lia

doi:10.1002/9781118316078.ch16

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…Prevalence rates for gambling within the current study are given in Table 2. Most gamblers were at no risk or low risk of problem gambling, while more than 13 % were moderate or high risk problem gamblers, which is representative of the Australian gambling community (Lister and Nower 2013). Interestingly, most of the moderate problem gamblers were older men and most of the high risk problem gamblers were older women.…”

Section: Descriptive Statisticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Data on prevalence rates of gambling among older adults are scant, but available evidence indicates that rates of gambling have increased over the past 15 years (Southwell et al 2008). In the US gamblers over the age of 65 constitute more than 7 % of the total gambling community, and with a rapidly ageing population, this percentage will rise (Lister and Nower 2013). A recent Australian survey of gambling during 2012 and 2013 indicated that adults aged 55 years and older were the second highest users of electronic gambling machines (slots/pokies), with 26 % having gambled on electronic gambling machines in the past 12 months (Queensland Government 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Marital Status and Problem Gambling Among Australian Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Loneliness

et al. 2015

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Problem gambling rates in older adults have risen dramatically in recent years and require further investigation. Limited available research has suggested that social needs may motivate gambling and hence problem gambling in older adults. Un-partnered older adults may be at greater risk of problem gambling than those with a partner. The current study explored whether loneliness mediated the marital status-problem gambling relationship, and whether gender moderated the mediation model. It was hypothesised that the relationship between being un-partnered and higher levels of loneliness would be stronger for older men than older women. A community sample of Australian men (n = 92) and women (n = 91) gamblers aged from 60 to 90 years (M = 69.75, SD = 7.28) completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale and the Problem Gambling Severity Index. The results supported the moderated mediation model, with loneliness mediating the relationship between marital status and problem gambling for older men but not for older women. It appears that felt loneliness is an important predictor of problem gambling in older adults, and that meeting the social and emotional needs of un-partnered men is important.

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Section: Descriptive Statisticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Marital Status and Problem Gambling Among Australian Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Loneliness

et al. 2015

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“…Gambling and homelessness each have a detrimental impact on older adults [5,27], but have generally been studied independently of each other. Harms from gambling frequently occur through financial loss, subsequently impacting or co-occurring with difficulties in health, relationships, employment and housing [28].…”

Section: Gambling Harm and Homelessness In Older Adultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Homelessness is one of the most significant harms associated with gambling [1], and older adults appear to be more at risk [2,3]. Internationally, gambling and homeless populations are ageing [4,5]. In Australia, for example, where gambling losses per adult are greater than in any other country [6], gambling participation is highest in older adults (55+ years) [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gambling and homelessness in older adults: a qualitative investigation

et al. 2021

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Background and Aims Homelessness is one of the most significant harms associated with gambling and appears to affect older adults disproportionately, but the relationship has received little research attention. This exploratory study investigated how gambling and homelessness is linked in older adults. Methods Using qualitative research methods, we undertook in‐depth semi structured face‐to‐face individual and group interviews to gather data from a purposive sample (n = 48) of key informants working in service provision for older adults (aged 50+ years) experiencing gambling‐related harm and/or homelessness in Victoria, Australia. Thematic analysis of data focused on evaluating mechanisms and identifying contextual conditions that activate pathways between gambling and homelessness. Results The relationship between gambling and homelessness in older adults is often indirect and non‐linear, and can represent a reflexive cycle. Experiencing periods of homelessness into older age can contribute to gambling, often because the adverse impacts of homelessness on older adults’ mental and material wellbeing increase the appeal of gambling. Additionally, comorbidities (e.g. substance use, mental illness, past trauma) and structural conditions (e.g. gambling accessibility, poverty, housing insecurity) can activate gambling. Furthermore, because gambling in the older homeless adult population is frequently hidden and regularly overlooked by service providers, it often continues unabated. Gambling in older adults can also contribute to the onset of first‐time homelessness. Large and rapid losses from high‐intensity gambling frequently characterize this route to homelessness. Such gambling is often triggered by major life events and changes (e.g. bereavement, job loss, relationship difficulties), and the outcomes are often worsened by the conduct of gambling operators and creditors. Conclusions The link between gambling and homelessness in older adults is complex, with connecting mechanisms often contingent upon individual, interpersonal and structural conditions and contexts. There is potential for preventative and ameliorative action given many of the underlying conditions appear modifiable through policy intervention.

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“…Although older adults do not display higher problem gambling rates than other age groups, some factors are worthy of special attention given that gambling participation among older adults has been on the rise with the advent of a greater variety, and greater accessibility, of gaming options (Gerstein, Murphy, Toce, Hoffman, & Palmer, 1999;Levens et al, 2005;Petry, 2002). Some studies have found that proximity to gambling opportunities is a strong predictor of problem gambling (Gerstein et al, 1999;Sévigny, Ladouceur, Jacques, & Cantinotti, 2008;Welte, Barnes, Wieczorek, Tidwell, & Parker, 2004), and, according to Lister and Nower (2013), accessibility of gaming venues is a strong predictor of gambling participation among older adults. However, Shaffer (2005) has argued that the situation is more complex, suggesting that gambling problem rates may rise initially after the introduction of a gambling venue, but then gradually fall over time as people adapt to the presence of gambling.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gambling Behaviours and Problem Gambling Among Older Adults Who Patronize Ontario Casinos or Racinos

Turner

Maas

McCready

et al. 2018

JGI

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This study examined the rate of gambling problems among Ontario older adults at gambling venues. Herein we describe an intercept survey that took place at casinos and horse racing tracks with slot machines or other forms of casino games (racinos) in southwestern Ontario, Canada. This method provided a significant opportunity to obtain a large sample of older adult casino gamblers in order to understand the gambling habits and gambling problems of this population. We used an intercept recruitment method to obtain a sample of 2,103 older adults (aged 55 and older) who were gambling at each of the seven gaming venues, as well as a systematic quota sampling method for age category (e.g., 55–64, 65–74, and 75 and above) and sex. On average, the participants engaged in 3.6 forms of gambling in the past year, and 78.6% reported playing slot machines or other forms of electronic gaming machines monthly or more often. They reported spending an average of 3.29 hr gambling at casinos or racinos per visit and 134.9 hr at casinos or racinos per year. Just over one-fifth of the sample reported spending more than $6,000 in casinos or racinos in the past year. Based on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), the proportion of the sample experiencing severe problem gambling (PGSI = 8+) was 6.9%, and an additional 20.3% reported moderate gambling problems (PGSI = 3 to 7).RésuméCette étude a examiné le taux de problèmes de jeu de personnes âgées de l’Ontario sur les sites de jeu. On y décrit un sondage par interception qui a eu lieu dans des casinos et des pistes de course de chevaux où se trouvent des machines à sous ou d’autres formes de jeux de casino (racinos) dans le sud-ouest de l’Ontario, au Canada. Cette méthode a fourni une occasion importante d’obtenir un vaste échantillon de joueurs de casino adultes plus âgés afin de comprendre les habitudes de jeu et les problèmes de jeu de cette population. Nous avons utilisé une méthode de recrutement par interception pour obtenir un échantillon de 2 103 aînés (âgés de 55 ans et plus) qui jouaient à chacun des sept sites de jeu, ainsi qu’une méthode d’échantillonnage systématique par quotas pour les catégories d’âge (p. ex. 55–64, 65–74 et 75 ans et plus) et le sexe. En moyenne, les participants ont joué à 3,6 formes de jeu au cours de la dernière année, et 78,6 % ont déclaré jouer aux machines à sous ou à d’autres formes de machines de jeux électroniques tous les mois ou plus souvent. Ils ont déclaré avoir consacré en moyenne 3,29 heures à jouer dans les casinos ou les racinos par visite et 134,9 heures dans les casinos ou les racinos par année. Un peu plus d’un cinquième de l’échantillon a déclaré avoir dépensé plus de 6 000 $ dans des casinos ou des racinos au cours de la dernière année. Selon l’Indice de gravité du jeu problématique (IGJP), la proportion de joueurs de l’échantillon ayant eu des problèmes de jeu excessifs (IGJP = 8+) était de 6,9 %, et une autre partie de 20,3 % des joueurs a signalé avoir des problèmes de jeu modérés (IGJP = 3 à 7).

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Gambling and Older Adults

Cited by 8 publications

References 70 publications

Marital Status and Problem Gambling Among Australian Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Loneliness

Marital Status and Problem Gambling Among Australian Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Loneliness

Gambling and homelessness in older adults: a qualitative investigation

Gambling Behaviours and Problem Gambling Among Older Adults Who Patronize Ontario Casinos or Racinos

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