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Abstract
Although a steady increase in the number of legalized gambling venues is occurring, few studies have empirically investigated the determinants of recreational gambling frequency among older adults. This investigation is based on a random-digit dialling sample of 290 residents 55 and older in the Las Vegas, Nevada, USA area whom self-reported that they currently gamble, had moved to Las Vegas after the age of 18, and were not problem or pathological gamblers. Using ordinal regression methods, we examined the impact upon gambling frequency of the following factors: age when moved to the community; considerations motivating in-migration to the community; and social interaction during gambling; as well as age; sex; income; and marital status. Results indicate that more frequent gamblers are single, male, 55–60 years old, gamble with friends, moved to Las Vegas to live after the age of 40 and for whom gambling was an important motivation for moving to Las Vegas.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Frank J. Bove for his contribution to the methodological design and analysis of this study as well as the anonymous reviewers for their helpful suggestions. The data collection was conducted by the Cannon Research Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (USA), with the financial support of the Problem Gambling Center in Las Vegas, Nevada (USA).