Older adults' gambling motivation and problem gambling: a comparative study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Gambling participation is rising among older adults (65+).
• Limited research compares gambling motivations and problem gambling between older and younger adults.
• This study addresses this gap by comparing these demographics in New Zealand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare gambling involvement, motivations, and problem gambling severity between older (66-87 years) and younger (17-34 years) gamblers.
• To identify predictors of problem gambling across different age groups.
• To investigate the role of specific gambling activities and motivations in problem gambling.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study comparing older (N=104) and younger (N=105) gamblers.
• Utilized the Gambling Motivation Scale (GMS) and the Revised South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS-R).
• Employed hierarchical regression analysis to identify unique predictors of problem gambling.

Main Results:

• Older adults gambled more frequently but had lower overall scores on gambling involvement, motives, and problem gambling.
• Frequency of gambling, amount spent, and all motives correlated with problem gambling severity (SOGS-R scores) in both groups.
• Preference for electronic gaming machines and bingo was associated with problem gambling in both age groups.
• Tension release emerged as a unique predictor of problem gambling severity, irrespective of age, gambling involvement, or other motives.

Conclusions:

• While older adults exhibit lower problem gambling severity, their increased gambling frequency warrants attention.
• Tension release is a significant underlying factor for problem gambling across age groups, more so than winning money or sensation seeking.
• Findings suggest targeted interventions focusing on tension release may benefit both younger and older problem gamblers.