Gambling Disorder among older adults: An Overview

Gambling disorder is currently within addictive disorders in classificatory systems. There has been a shift from its understanding as an impulse control disorder in the past. The prevalence of gambling has been increasing across the world, especially with the exponential growth of the online gaming industry. Though there has been some recent interest in the scientific study of gambling in India, the issues among older adults are neglected. There are reports from other parts of the world about the increasing prevalence of gambling disorder among older adults with its significant effects on physical and mental health, finances and relationships. The Public Gambling Act 1867 (Gambling Act) is the general law that governs gambling in India. Types of gambling activities differ across countries and cultures and we do not have enough information about the gambling preferences of older adults in India and have to rely on studies from the younger population. Current aetiological formulations are towards a biopsychosocial model of the disorder. A comprehensive evaluation is necessary and the problem may be hidden by the older adults and usually not suspected. There is a role for holistic interventions pharmacological, psychological and social interventions. There is an urgent need for studying gambling behaviour and associated factors among older adults in India.