Rise in number of elderly problem gamblers recorded in Florida

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by Change | 12 Mar 2010

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Florida is seeing a rise in the number of elderly problem and compulsive gamblers.

Demand for gambling addiction intervention is increasing among senior citizens in Florida in line with the growth in gambling venues.

This is according to the Miami Herald, which reports that senior citizens have become more vulnerable to the pitfalls of gambling owing to the pastime's popularity in the Sunshine State.

Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) director Pat Fowler said that grandfathers and grandmothers aren't the types of people normally associated with compulsive gambling.

"But the truth is that compulsive gambling is a growing problem in our society, and the elderly are among the most vulnerable," she told the newspaper.

Ms Fowler went on to say that Florida has the resources to treat compulsive gambling, which is a diagnosable and treatable condition.

In an attempt to address the issue, a two day seminar was organized earlier this month by the FCCG at Fort Lauderdale Hilton.

It launched on March 5th at the same time as Problem Gambling Week, and aimed to highlight the causes for problem and compulsive gambling in addition to the warning signs and gambling addiction treatment options.

According to the National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, between six and nine million people in the US develop a gambling problem per year.

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