Spring 1997
It was nearly five years ago, in 1992, when I visited a gambling facility with a 63 year old friend of mine. As we were leaving, I said to him, Well, what do you think? His response was, I had no idea that this is what I am supposed to do when I retire. It was clear that gambling had become a significant activity for many older Minnesotans.
Gambling in Minnesota has changed significantly over the past several years. It is more accessible than ever before and it is marketed to older people. Over 60 percent of Minnesotans over the age of 65 have gambled in the past year. For most older people, gambling is a social or recreational activity. It can be fun and entertaining. It does not cause problems.
But for many older people living on fixed incomes, gambling losses can significantly affect their standard of living. Gambling can be particularly risky for older people who are going through major life transitions such as retirement, loss of a loved one, moving or health problems. Gambling can even be risky for those who, because they spend a lot of time gambling, do not stay involved in other activities.
While the number of older people with gambling problems is low compared to other age groups, it is clearly a new area of concern that needs to be addressed by professionals who work with older people. This edition of Beyond the Odds will review gambling among older Minnesotans, increase awareness of the risks associated with gambling for this population and list resources for both prevention and help for people with gambling problems.
—Roger Svendsen
In This Issue
Ages of Hotline callers seeking help in 1996
