WHY DO SENIORS GAMBLE? ...AND WHAT KEEPS THEM GOING BACK?
Seniors gamble for a myriad of reasons, among them are:
SOCIAL INTERACTION - The gambling site initially fills the void for many who suffer from loneliness. Everyone from the bus driver to the guard are friendly.
PERCEIVED AS A SAFE PLACE TO GO - There are security guards 24 hours a day inside and outside many gambling sites.. One can feel safe there.
EMOTIONAL ESCAPE - Escape from life’s problems, experienced while in the act of gambling, is identified as the sole factor that keeps them going back by many escape gamblers. Money just means they can play longer thereby escaping emotional or physical pain for a longer period of time. Many experience a mood altering euphoria while at a machine, in front of an Internet gambling site or at a bingo hall. Those seniors may give up all other coping skills and escape into gambling as their new way of dealing with all of life’s problems. For those, when faced with giving up this compulsive behavior, the fear of not knowing how to cope with the pain becomes greater than the fear of what they are doing to themselves with the gambling. See Escape Gambling
EXCITEMENT AND LIVING ON THE EDGE - To the senior who never gambled in the past, or only gambled with a spouse, being a part of the glitz and glamour of a gambling site is initially an exhilarating experience. It’s FUN!
INDEPENDENCE - is yet another intoxicating part of the gambling experience, especially if they are in or have been in a relationship where the spouse is domineering or controlling or if physical ailments or disabilities have kept them from a "normal" life. Even those pulling oxygen tanks can participate in many forms of gambling. Valets will help them in and out of their cars etc. Lying to a spouse about losses- even covering the losses- may be exciting and be mistaken for having power over their life.
SELF-ESTEEM BOOST - which comes from a false sense of empowerment as they experience an "it’s my turn" feeling without family members present to make demands on their time and energy .
SEVERAL SMALL OR EVEN LARGE MONETARY WINNING ‘EPISODES" - Although winning money is usually a secondary motivation for escape gamblers, after a win, they may see gambling as a way to solve financial difficulties or become financially independent. Many of them have an unrealistic understanding of the rules of probability and their chances to win at "luck" games including the lottery.