Problem Gambling Becoming Prevalent In Elderly Communities Of US

Problem gamblers come in many shapes and sizes. It used to be that only young men were in danger of being afflicted with the addiction, but as time has gone on more people have been put at risk.

Women make up almost fifty percent of problem gamblers currently in the US, and casino gambling has become a top form of entertainment for the elderly. In some states, buses go to and from casinos from retirement communities.

Although problem gambling can be at its worst for twenty to forty year olds, the biggest dangers, according to some experts, come when a person reaches the later part of their lives.

"When people start to gamble at an older age and it becomes a problem, there is usually less income coming in. That means that these people are gambling with money from a fixed income, and that can be dangerous," says observer Billy Junklett.

Others believe the danger lies in the ability to recover from a gambling binge. When a person is younger, they are more likely to have the ability to recoup the money through their jobs. For the elderly, the older they are, the less chance they have to regain money lost.

Casino gambling is becoming more prevalent in the US with every month that the economy is worsening. State lawmakers are turning to expanded gambling laws to try and help with budget deficits.

It has become a common practice for the elderly to go to casinos a couple of times a week to pass time. Many of these people are retired and are too bored to stay home, so they go to a casino to get out of the house for a few hours.

While it is less common for these elders to fall into a problem gambling addiction, that could change in the near future. Many states have already began to implement problem gambling awareness programs for their residents to gain knowledge of the troubles the addiction can bring.

March 1, 2009
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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