It is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as an Impulse Control Disorder. Although there has been no National or State study done yet on gambling among older adults, gambling Helpline counselors throughout our nation report that gambling by senior citizens is on the rise. In the past, gambling declined with age, but now more seniors are able to gamble as the availability of gambling increases. Legalized gambling has expanded dramatically in recent years. Corner quick-stop stations and grocery stores sell lottery tickets.
Casinos run specials with senior citizen discount coupons.
Bus trips are often free or at low cost and vouchers to gamble are supplied by the company sponsoring the bus trip. Church raffles and bingo help raise much -needed funding for church and school programs. Magazine sweepstakes received in the mail offer the chance to be a millionaire. Older adults gamble for a variety of reasons. At a time when there is often not a lot of excitement in an older person s life, gambling allows a person to take some risk.