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35th AM (2025) - Poster Session
Characteristics of Older Adults with Gambling Diso ...
Characteristics of Older Adults with Gambling Disorder entering CalGETSOutpatient Treatment
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Pdf Summary
This study examined characteristics of older adults (65+) seeking outpatient treatment for gambling disorder through California’s CalGETS program from 2015 to 2020, analyzing data from 3932 individuals, including 345 older gamblers. Key findings revealed that approximately 69.6% of Americans aged 65+ gamble at least yearly, with about 10.9% classified as at-risk. Casinos often target seniors with incentives like free transportation and meals, increasing gambling accessibility. Factors such as loneliness, financial hardship, and cognitive decline elevate older adults’ vulnerability to gambling problems.<br /><br />Older gamblers, particularly males, showed a strong preference for slot machines—a simpler gambling form aligned with age-related cognitive changes needing less complex decision-making. Older female gamblers reported an even greater slot machine preference. Conversely, younger gamblers favored more action-intensive games. Family history indicated younger gamblers encountered higher rates of parental gambling and substance use problems than older gamblers. Regarding health, older gamblers had significantly higher rates of diabetes, whereas younger gamblers exhibited worse overall health behaviors including depression, obesity, binge drinking, and smoking.<br /><br />Treatment intake patterns showed younger males predominated treatment seekers, while older adults had a more gender-balanced representation. The data suggests older male gamblers may face challenges accessing treatment and that problematic gambling is more prevalent among younger males. The study highlights the need for age-tailored interventions addressing social support and physical health among seniors. It also suggests policymakers regulate casino marketing targeting older adults to mitigate risks.<br /><br />Limitations include a treatment-seeking sample bias, pre-pandemic data, and reliance on self-report. Future research should include non-treatment seekers and leverage multivariate analyses to explore demographic and behavioral relationships. The consistent preference for slot machines across older adults warrants further investigation. Overall, the study underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable older adults through responsible gambling policies and targeted interventions amid economic instability and ongoing social challenges.
Keywords
older adults gambling
gambling disorder treatment
CalGETS program
slot machine preference
age-related cognitive decline
gambling accessibility seniors
family history gambling
health comorbidities older gamblers
gender differences gambling
responsible gambling policies
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