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Populations at Risk for a Gambling Disorder: Older Adults

  • Gambling (J Derevensky, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of review

Older adults who gamble are a population of concern, yet older adult problem gambling remains a topic of limited examination. This article seeks to critically evaluate the existing older adult problem gambling literature.

Recent findings

Recent literature uses generational comparisons to predict gambling behaviors of those newest to older adulthood, the Baby Boomers. These studies indicate that Baby Boomers participate in gambling activities at a higher rate than previous generations and that they may be further negatively impacted as access to gambling expands. Prevalence rates of problem gambling vary across countries suggesting that culture influences perceptions of gambling for older adults. While poorer health outcomes have also been associated with problem gambling, positive effects of gambling on cognition have also been suggested.

Summary

Finally, the authors offer personal observations and hypothetical discussion about these research implications and emphasize the need for better awareness, screening, and study of gambling disorders among older adults.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986150 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-6150, USA

    Katelyn M. Thompson & Dennis P. McNeilly

Authors
  1. Katelyn M. Thompson
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  2. Dennis P. McNeilly
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katelyn M. Thompson.

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Conflict of Interest

Dennis McNeilly and Katelyn Thompson declare no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Gambling

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Thompson, K.M., McNeilly, D.P. Populations at Risk for a Gambling Disorder: Older Adults. Curr Addict Rep 3, 275–279 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-016-0107-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-016-0107-x

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