Many older adults enjoy gambling without problems. However, for a minority of older adults the consequences from problem gambling can be severe. It has been argued that older adults are an especially vulnerable population of gamblers; yet they are also frequently targeted by gambling venues through marketing and incentives, such as meals and transportation. In an Ontario study, 73.5% of older adults (age 60+) had gambled within the past year.
Due to the “Baby Boom” that occurred from 1946 to 1965, Canada, along with other Western countries, are beginning to experience the effects of an aging population. In 2011, 9.6 million Canadians were classified as Baby Boomers, totaling 29% of the population. Meanwhile, older adults (65+) in 2011 represented only 14.8% of the Canadian population. As Baby Boomers continue to retire and the older population grows, knowledge on gambling and age will be even more important to policy makers, researchers, and treatment providers.