The legalization of gambling in many states has not only provided additional entertainment for some, it has also added both financial and health concerns for society and individuals. Studies have shown that casino gambling is one of the fastest growing entertainment industries nationwide with Americans wagering more than $551 billion annually. Forty years ago, the prevalence of gambling addictions was most common among the younger generations; however, with the opening of casinos in various states, the Baby Boomers have grown along with the industry and are among the most common casino dwellers.
Senior citizens, ages 65 and older, account for a large percentage of the people who participate in gambling activities across the country. One study found that the number of seniors who gamble has more than doubled since the mid-1970s. This increase in gamblers suggests a concurrent increase in problem gamblers, especially among senior citizens.
Pathological gambling has only recently been reported among the elderly, who are considered a vulnerable population for risky behaviors. Because senior citizens often struggle with loneliness and depression, they are particularly at risk for participating in addictive behaviors such as gambling (as well as drug and alcohol abuse). Furthermore, people – again, especially senior citizens – with increased mental health issues and poor physical health have also been associated with problem gambling behaviors.
In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health has been designated as the lead agency under Act 1 of 2010 to manage the Compulsive and Problem Gambling Program. Its main charge is public awareness, training, and prevention of compulsive and problem gambling. At the local level, Crawford County has seen a small increase in the number of addicted gamblers through the Crawford County Drug and Alcohol Commission (CCDAC). Because of their concerns, CCDAC has certified two of its counselors as gambling addiction specialists. While it may appear that the blame for the increased cases could point toward the recently constructed Erie County casino, CCDAC notes that gambling addictions are not limited to casino goers. Many opportunities for gambling exist in the form of what may seem to be socially acceptable and family-oriented fun including the PA lottery, BINGO, raffles, and other small games of chance. In Crawford County alone, 34 geographically diverse locations offer BINGO on a regular basis, 74 offer general games of chance, 13 provide limited occasional games of chance, 11 operate special raffles, and 63 places sell state lottery tickets. So, the opportunities to participate in such gaming are widely available.
In many instances, gambling or participating in similar activities can be quite harmless. This has been shown to be true as one study, performed in 2002, found that public and media outcry against gambling has blown the risk of addiction out of proportion. According to this particular study, casino visits or small games of chance participation occurred because of the social benefits of being with others – as if for a night out with the gang. Those attending such events were far from addicted to the games.
Regardless of a person’s perceived risk or their actual danger of becoming a problem gambler, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board indicates that older adults have more threats aimed at them that could easily push them into addictive behaviors. For example, senior citizens suffer more losses and face more life transitions such as declining health than the general population, making them more vulnerable to desperate or self-destructive behaviors. Also, older adults may not understand addiction and are less likely to identify themselves as having any gambling problems; therefore, they continue their risky actions. Many older adults have easier access to gambling than their younger counterparts and are drawn to the casinos or BINGO halls to feel more wanted and less lonely. Last, some older adults may have cognitive impairments that interfere with their ability to make sound decisions; hence, they believe their financial risk is a solid pecuniary investment.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania is working to address the problem of gambling addiction across all generations through a three-year pilot program called Smart Choices. Through this program, students are taught the difference between games of skill and games of chance and why games of chance (i.e. gambling) can often lead toward other unhealthy choices such as smoking and alcohol abuse.
Again, not all who participate in small games of chance or visit Las Vegas are prone to a lifetime of addiction. If you question your own participation, the state encourages you to take their online, fully anonymous quiz that will assist you in determining your own risk or current status as a problem gambler. Simply visit www.paproblemgambling.com and click on the “At Risk Quiz.”
References:
Crawford County Drug and Alcohol Commission. (2011). Personal communications on April 5, 2011.
Hope, J. & Havir, L. (2002). You bet they’re having fun! Older Americans and casino gambling. Journal of Aging Studies, 16, 177-197.
Krisberg, K. (2011). Pennsylvania turns to public health to help problem gamblers. The Nation’s Health, April 2011, 11.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. (2011). Retrieved April 5, 2011 from http://www.pgcb.state.pa.us/?p=66.
Pennsylvania Problem Gambling. (2011). Retrieved April 5, 2011 from http://www.paproblemgambling.com.
Zaranek, R. R. & Lichtenberg, P. A. (2008). Urban elders and casino gambling: Are they at risk of a gambling problem? Journal of Aging Studies, 22(1), 13-23.
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