Gambling Addiction Increasing Among Seniors

Many people ask what they will do once they retire. Some will travel, some will spend more quality family time, but unfortunately, some will take up gambling. It has become apparent that the amount of gambling among senior citizens has greatly increased, with a large number of those seniors having a gambling problem. Many thought that they were simply playing for the fun of it, not realizing that they were developing very serious gambling problems.

One of the fastest growing groups of gambling addicts in the country is those over the age of 65. It is usually seen as a social activity for seniors with nothing else to do. They play slot machines, they go to tracks, they play bingo, and they buy lottery tickets. However, many of them have taken what was a social engagement and have made it a real problem for themselves. Many find the comfort of going to a place with other people, or the attention that they get from casino employees, worth the amount of money that they may lose.

One of the biggest reasons why it has gone unchecked for so long is that most seniors are embarrassed to ask for help once they realize they have a problem. They feel that they are old enough to know better and many times try unsuccessfully to handle it on their own. The worst part is that there are places that they can get help, but most do not know where they are or what is offered.

If you notice an elderly loved one who may be spending more and more time gambling, and they seem to be neglecting taking care of themselves – eating, taking medication, or perhaps they are seeming more depressed – chances are they may have a gambling problem.

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