ASA - American Society on Aging

Problem Gambling & Older Adults
The Facts

Definition of Problem Gambling

Problem Gambling refers to gambling that significantly interferes with a person's basic occupational, interpersonal, and financial functioning. (Gambling in the Golden State, 1998 Forward)

Pathological gambling is the most severe form of problem gambling and is classified as a mental health disorder with similarities to drug abuse. (Gambling in the Golden State, 1998 Forward)

Facts About Problem Gambling and Older Adults

An estimated 65% of the $3.7 billion profit by Atlantic City casinos in 1997 came from the pockets of people over 60 (New Jersey Helpline).
Older problem gambling has devastating results on lives, including loss of a lifetime of saved income, and suicide.

Americans gamble more each year than they spend on groceries ($600B+ annually) (US Bureau of the Census, 1997).
Older adults now form the largest group of annual visitors to Las Vegas (The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor's Authority).
Between 1999 & 2003, calls to California problem gambling hotlines from older adults increased 25% (California Council on Problem Gambling).
Between 1975 and 1998, the over 65 age group experienced the greatest increase in gambling, both for lifetime (from 35% to 80%) and for past-year (from 23% to 50%) (Gambling Impact and Behavior Study, 1999).