Retirement News : Seniors : Casinos Target Seniors

Casinos Target Seniors

Date Added: 11-04-2005

Complusive gambling is an illness that local experts say is rising among our senior population.
Seniors have time on their hands, money in their savings accounts, and they crave attention.
Casinos are all too happy to give in, which can lead to problems. however, family guidance has a solution.
The bright colors, the discounted food and free drinks lures in seniors with lots of time on their hands.
They socialize, make friends, and pay for what they call "entertainment".
Here at the Family Guidance Center, gambling counselors like Lori Kanke explain how something that seems so innocent can make for some very bad luck.
Although, it`s not just at the casino. Even the elderly who might be more homebound can get hooked right in their own home.
At East Hills Mall counselor Lisa Doyle also targets seniors who like to gamble. She says it can be an illness just like addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Inside one of her phamplets is a list of twenty questions that saying yes to 7 indicates a complusive gambler.
Questions such as: do you feel remorse after gambling? Do you often gamble until your last dollar is gone? Do you ever sell anything to finance your gambling?
If you`re answering yes to these questions, and can`t seem to stay away from casinos, then the invitation is open to take part in the new counseling programs offered at family guidance. With the help from the guidance center seniors don`t have to go it alone.
Exercise equipment and other activities help to take up the gambling time as seniors go through the counseling.
A certain Missouri program voluntarily cuts complusive gamblers off from the casinos.
Essentially, you give your name to the casino which instructs them to let you not gamble.

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