How many times a week of going to the casino is considered a gambling problem.?

Question

My parents are retired and go to the casino 3-4 times a week. I think they have an addiction to gambling but they say it is just their form of entertainment. Does a gambling problem depend on how much they spend or how often they go to the casino?

Answer 1

It's like alcohol.

It is a matter of control.

It does not matter how often they gamble or how much. It's whether or not they can control it.

They like it as entertainment. Then know that those casinos were not built by paying money out to winners, and the odds are always in the house's favor.

If their gambling is causing monetary issues - that is, if they are wasting their retirement income or savings on it, yes it is an addiction. If, however, they have agreed to set aside some weekly money as entertainment money in the form of gambling, that is OK. For example, if they are able to comfortably set aside $250 a week for this, and stick to it, then it is not an addiction. Like alcohol...you can have a drink a day with no issues, BUT, if you take that first drink and you do not STOP until you pass out or are plastered, that's a problem. You can drink ONLY once a year, but if you cannot control the drinking once you start, you have a problem.

They could go one day a week or 3 days a week for a few hours each day. If they like it as entertainment, know the risks, and are able to control their spending, it's no issue. Let them have their fun. They know the odds, and the occasional win adds to their fun.

IF they both go, and if they spend and gamble away their retirement check or are dipping into their savings to cover their losses, that is a problem.

Simple, eh?

Answer 2

probably 3 or 5

Answer 3

it depends if they are losing

Answer 4

Gamblers Anonymous offers the following questions to anyone who may have a gambling problem. These questions are provided to help the individual decide if he or she is a compulsive gambler and wants to stop gambling.

TWENTY QUESTIONS

   1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?

   2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

   3. Did gambling affect your reputation?

   4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

   5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?

   6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?

   7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?

   8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?

   9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?

  10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?

  11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?

  12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?

  13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?

  14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?

  15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry, trouble, boredom or loneliness?

  16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?

  17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

  18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?

  19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?

  20. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these questions.

Answer 5

Don't say NO WAY! but it's only ones as long as it's every single week.

Answer 6

I don't think the frequency of the visits is the issue but how much they spend.  If they set spending limits and aren't in financial trouble they should be fine.  Many retired people do go to the casinos for socializing and entertainment.

Answer 7

as long as its not hurting their pocket book and have a set amount of funds they plan to spend I don't think its aproblem. It becomes a problem when they spend money they shouldn't.

Answer 8

Gambling addiction occurs when you can not control your gambling and it interferes with your life. You are gambling your rent, food and bill money. You and your family suffers.

There are a lot of people (especially older people) who go to the casino in order to have human interaction. This is where they meet friends, talk and socialize. They actually spend very little money. They play Penny and nickle slots, visit and have a good time. For them it is entertainment and better than sitting home alone.

So your parents going to the casino 3 -4 times a week is quite normal for older people. As long as they are not spending their living money (rent, food ect.) they are fine.

I work in a casino and I see both kinds. We have one older gentleman who comes in every day to visit and eat. In fact he has told us that if he doesn't show up to call the police, because it means he's dead and there is no one to notice. That is a sad state to be in. So everyday he comes in to visit with his "friends", drink coffee, play a few penny slots. I hope he keeps coming in for a long time.

Answer 9

probaly more than 2 or 3 times.

Answer 10

usually, the definitive symptom of addiction to anything is the presence of withdrawal symptoms. for example, internet addiction is marked by the need or desire to return to the internet when separated, to the detriment of their health, jobs or loved ones.

if your parents do other things as well, they should be fine. if you start to notice a decline in their standard of living, that's usually the first sign (e.g. unpaid bills, collector's agents, etc.)

Answer 11

guess they got bored watching TV.

They're probably playing the nickle slots and hanging out with people they meet.

How much they spend depends on how much they can afford to spend - while still paying their bills.   If they spent $20 each time they went - it would be no different than if they were simply going out to eat.

Answer 12

It depends on the  individual action taken. (ie) If you go every day but limit yourself to X dollars THAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO LOSE it could be considered entertainment. If you go once a week but LOSE AL:L THE HOUSE MONEY then it is a problem. There are a number of books on gambling that you could get from the library that will expound on the theory. Do try reading some it might alleviate your concern or help solve a problem Good Luck

Answer 13

Yes gambling is a new addiction.  I enjoy the casino very much thank goodness it's  a 3 hour drive to get there!

Let your parents alone they can take care of themselves.

Answer 14

I believe it's not how much ypu spend, but how often you go-just the addiction of that risk no matter how much money can be a problem.  To see if they're addicted, ask them to stop for a week-if they cant, they're addicted and have a problem, if they're sucessful, they have no problem.

However, if they start going more than 3-4 times a week they have a fairly serious problem as that could amount to a lot of money either won or lost

Answer 15

once a week is a lot

Answer 16

It depends on just how much they can afford to lose and if they stick to that amount. I think most older people like casinos and bingo games because back in their day you didn't have things like Nintendo Wii or 300 channel HD cable. If you wanted an evening's entertainment you usually had to go out somewhere.

Answer 17

For some people, 3-4 is too much and for some people who can't handle it, just 1 time is too much.

Have your parents track their wins and losses. When the losses start piling up, then they may realize that they have a problem. If they don't lose much then it may not be a problem for them.

Some people golf, some go hunting and some go to the casinos. We all spend our free time in different ways. If it is costing them thousands per month, then it may be time to find a new hobby.