Predictors of older adult gambler in representative sample: Implications for education, prevention and treatment

Abstract: Though rates of gambling among older adults appear to be increasing, few studies have examined the factors that distinguish older adult problem gamblers in a representative sample. This presentation will detail findings from a statewide, epidemiological survey using univariate and multinomial logistic regression. Among older adults (56-97; N=624), those with gambling problems were more likely to be African American or to have gambling friends and less likely to be divorced than all other older adult gamblers. Overall, older adult gamblers were more likely than young gamblers (18-35; N=714) to be white, divorced or separated, and undereducated and to report military service, owning a home, using tobacco, having a disability and less likely to play daily fantasy sports, live poker or to bet on sports. Compared to middle-aged adults (36-55; N+624), older adult gamblers were less likely to be Asian or Hispanic, to report drug usage, to play daily fantasy sports, trade high risk stocks or bet on sports, and more likely to report military service or home ownership. Across groups, older adults were underrepresented among those with the highest levels of problem gambling severity but were more likely than other gamblers to participate in multiple gambling activities. Implications: A greater understanding of older adult gamblers will assist in tailoring education, intervention, and treatment efforts to the unique needs and characteristics of this population, resulting in harm reduction and more robust prevention strategies