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Odds For Suicide High in Older Problem Gamblers

Casinos and the games played within them can be loads of fun and the thrill of winning is unbeatable. Unfortunately, there are more people not winning in a casino near you than there are people winning. When the lure of the game becomes so strong the gambling causes financial, professional, and emotional devastation, the gambling has progressed to a point considered a problem. And older problem gamblers, those 55 and older, are more likely to consider, even attempt, suicide at rates about six times that of the population in general.

Younger problem gamblers are just as likely to harbor thoughts of suicide, too, according to a joint study conducted by researchers at Rutgers University and the University of Sydney. Lia Nower, JD, PhD, of the Rutgers Center for Gambling Studies, and Alex Blaszczynski, PhD, of the University of Sydney, examined the gambling habits of 1,601 gamblers who described themselves as having problems with gambling. All gamblers in the study asked to be banned from entry into casinos in the state of Missouri from 2001 to 2003.

Hitting rock bottom, the need for help to stop, and the desire to regain control of their lives were the main reasons cited for requesting self-exclusion from Missouri’s casinos. Missouri was the first state to implement exclusion policies, beginning in 1996, but several other states, six provinces in Canada, and several other countries have adopted similar policies. People requesting exclusion agree to be physically removed from the premises, if necessary, and they may face trespassing charges, too.

Suicide is a very real concern where gambling is a problem, with problem gamblers of every age confessing thoughts of or attempts at suicide at a rate six times higher than the general population. Of the older gamblers surveyed, 14% reporting seeking help to overcome thoughts of suicide because of gambling problems.

Gambling affects people differently at different stages of their lives, according to the study, which identified these findings:

• Older adults tend to prefer games that require little, if any, perceived strategy, such as buying lottery tickets or playing slot machines and video poker. The research team suggests these games may hasten the beginning of problematic gambling habits.
• Older adults were more likely to begin gambling later in their lives, with older women in the survey beginning gambling at about age 49, with problems setting in around age 60. Men were more likely to begin around age 37 and ask for self-exclusion also near age 60.
• The higher incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in older problem gamblers may be due to their reluctance to access mental health care but under-diagnosis, lack of referrals from their primary physician, and Medicare’s inadequate coverage for mental health issues are thought to contribute to the higher threat of suicide in older problem gamblers.

The September issue of Psychology and Aging, a publication of the American Psychological Association, carries full details of this study.

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