Little research has been devoted to the gambling motivations of older women. The aim of this study was to examine older women’s motivations for gambling. Differences between women with and without problem gambling were of interest. A total of 34 older women aged 55 and older were interviewed about their gambling history and why they gambled. All participants gambled for five broad motivations (money, activity, socialization, sensations, and escape). However, the specific reasons underlying each motivation and the relative importance of each differed between the two groups. Women with problem gambling were more motivated by escape, socialization, and sensations. Women without problem gambling were more motivated by money, activity, and sensations.
