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Canberra Today 25°/28° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Lonely seniors go gambling

MORE seniors are turning to gambling to escape boredom, loneliness or the recent loss of a loved one, says Mission Australia.

According to gambling counsellor Karen Rendall, seniors are a risk group for problem gambling, with many finding retirement lonely.

“They are lonely and suddenly they have time on their hands with few or no other leisure activities,” Karen said.

“Clubs are nice, warm and cosy; and at the beginning that’s fine.”

However, she said seniors are particularly vulnerable because they have no way to recoup the money lost and are the most reluctant to seek help.

“Seniors are often not comfortable with counselling,” she said.

“Some seniors say, ‘I should have known better’ or ‘I can cope with it myself’, then there’s the added layer of ‘I’m older’.”

With many seniors reluctant to admit their addiction, one 62-year-old Canberra man came forward to talk to “CityNews”, however he did not want his name mentioned.

“It removed me from reality,” he said. “I was anonymous. I could lose track of time.

“I did not have a strong social network around me. It seemed easy and convenient. No one asks you what you do and it seemed a good place to be.”

He said his gambling, in particular roulette and blackjack, led to financial stresses that eventually led to stresses in his relationships.

“I accepted responsibility for my problem only recently, but I had been gambling for about 30 years,” he said.

“Counselling has given me a perspective on my life in a non-judgemental environment.

“It has helped me accept truths about my gambling behaviour and how I can employ tactics not to do it or minimise the behaviour.

“It helps you address your problems – because I feel that there are always other problems going on.”

Now “gambling-free”, he said it was a brochure for the Mission Australia services at the casino that led to that point.

Mission Australia offer free services, detailed on this page for people who gamble and those affected by gambling including face-to-face gambling counselling to both gamblers and people impacted by someone else’s gambling.

They also offer a “SMART Recovery” support group, family support group and, talks and presentations to the community.

More information visit Mission Australia ACT Gambling Support Service at Block E at CIT Southside in Phillip or call 6129 6100.

PHOTO: Mission Australia gambling counsellor Karen Rendall. Photo by Silas Brown

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