Spring 1997

In order to learn more about gambling among older Minnesotans (60 years and older), staff from the Gambling Problems Resource Center collected information through 14 key informant interviews,a monthly meeting of 10 area Agency on Aging Directors, Minnesota State Lottery reports, review of state supported treatment center admission data, and Minnesota Compulsive Gambling Hotline reports.

It is clear that older Minnesotans are a heterogeneous group that includes people from many ethnic backgrounds, in varied socioeconomic circumstances and with remarkably diverse thoughts, opinions and actions related to gambling. Key findings are as follows:

1. A survey of over 2,400 Minnesotans by St.Cloud State University for the Minnesota State Lottery in 1996 suggests that this population is less likely than other age groups to gamble in any way, including bingo and casino gambling, which are thought to be common among older people. Sixty-one percent of Minnesotans 65 and older had wagered during the year prior to the survey, compared to 75% for Minnesotans ages 18 to 64. Those 65 and older who do gamble have also wagered on fewer activities than those under 65 (see Figure 1).

2. Older Minnesotans are significantly under-represented in calls to the Minnesota Compulsive Gambling Hotline. Over 16% of the states population is 60 years or older, yet the percentage of calls to the Hotline by older Minnesotans was only 8% in 1996, a five year high (see Figure 2).

3. Older Minnesotans are significantly under-represented in admissions to state supported treatment centers as of April, 1996. Again, while the percent of Minnesotans 60 years and older is approximately 16%, the percent of clients in that age group admitted to treatment was only 3%.

4. There is a wide range of concerns about gambling by older people expressed by professionals who work closely with this population, including:

Gambling on a fixed income can create financial problems quickly with relatively small amounts of money.

Gambling is very accessible and marketed to older people even those who are not likely to become compulsive gamblers can spend a lot of time gambling and not stay involved in other activities.

Some older people may become confused and spend more money than they intend to or not understand that they have lost. (Dementia could be a problem for some.)

Some older people may use gambling as a way to cope with stress especially with the loss of a spouse.

Older people that do develop a problem are hard to help. They seem to be more shameful than other age groups, more secretive, and more apt to hide their gambling because it could be considered a weakness.

Many older people are retired, live alone and simply do not come into contact with that many other people who may be able to identify a problem.

5. A majority of those interviewed who work with older people do not know the extent of gambling among that population. The number of older people going to casinos instead of participating in senior center activities, appears to be over- estimated when compared to the self reported data collected by the Minnesota State Lottery.

We are probably not used to seeing large numbers of older people together and, when we do, we over-generalize and assume there is a problem. Especially if they are having fun.

6. Staff who work with older people believe there is a need to find alternatives to time spent at gambling.

A key is to promote more meaningful activities than gambling.

Senior center coordinators need to have information available if they have concerns about clients or residents.

7. Many respondents reported that older people need more education about gambling, including information about the actual odds of winning.

...education, information on problems that can be created by gambling, whats risky, whats appropriate.

The current generation of older people is viewed by many as being conservative about their gambling. As baby boomers grow into retirement age with a much more accepting attitude toward gambling and many more opportunities to gamble, we may see an increase in problems related to gambling.