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British Older Adult Gambling Behaviour: Evaluating Psychological and Physical Health as Predictive Risk for Problem Gambling

Author: J. Pattinson Published: November 2016
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Summary

British Older Adult Gambling Behaviour: Evaluating Psychological and Physical Health as Predictive Risk for Problem Gambling

Topics covered

  • motivations for gambling amongst older adults
  • risk factors for problem gambling in older adults
  • experiences of female older adult gamblers

Key findings

Older adults often gamble to escape loneliness, boredom and health issues. Playing electronic gaming machines and bingo regularly, along with anxiety and social isolation, were significant predictors of problem gambling risk.
Female older gamblers were particularly vulnerable, often using gambling to fill voids in their lives and escape emotional distress.

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