Population aging represents a major demographic shift and older adults gamble at higher rates than ever before. However, little is known about the impact of gambling on retirement transitions. Therefore, we examined the consequences of recreational levels and problem levels of gambling for retirement timing and the stability of retirement. To better understand how the positive and negative consequences of gambling have an impact on retirement timing and the potential return to work for those in retirement, data were analyzed from the Quinte Longitudinal Study of Gambling and Problem Gambling (QLS; Williams et al., 2014). Logistic regression was used to predict retirement outcomes. Among people who were employed and aged 50 and over at baseline, problem gambling and gambling to socialize encouraged people to retire two years later; however, gambling to socialize at baseline was not associated with retirement four years later. For people who were retired and aged 55 and over at baseline, problem gambling did not pull them out of retirement two years or four years later. This study addressed the call for prospective research on the consequences of gambling (Desai, Desai, & Potenza, 2007). Findings are of value to problem gambling treatment and service providers, adults planning for or in retirement, and retirement planning professionals.
