This study explored gambling experiences of treatment-seeking adults using a mixed methods approach. A purposeful convenience sample was used to recruit participants with assistance from Gamblers Choice, a program of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota. Invitations to participate were mailed to all adults who applied for gambling treatment services from Gamblers Choice between 2005 and 2008. Quantitative data were obtained from 97 survey respondents from four Midwestern states in the U.S. with the majority of respondents residing in North Dakota (72.2%) and Minnesota (23.7%). Qualitative data were collected from 41 participants; only data collected from adults 55 years of age and older were analyzed for the second article in this document.

The first article, a quantitative analysis, focused on comparing gambling attitudes and behavior of older and younger adults ranging in age from 20 to 82. The average age at which older and younger participants first visited a casino differed by approximately 14 years. Both age groups reported spending more money than intended on their last casino visit. One quarter of older gamblers reported spending more than 10 hours gambling during their last casino visit compared to 7% of younger gamblers. Negative impacts such as bankruptcy and job loss were reported in similar frequencies between age groups. Younger adults were more likely than older adults to express positive attitudes toward casino gambling.

The second article in this document is a qualitative analysis of the personal experiences of older treatment-seeking adults. This portion of the study employed basic interpretive analysis of 11 interviews conducted with a sub-sample of survey respondents over age 55. Participants in the qualitative study ranged in age from 57 to 82. Data analysis revealed six themes: participants conceptualized their gambling problem as an addiction; gambling addiction followed other addictions and mental illnesses experienced by participants; family and friends influenced the development and recovery of participants' gambling addiction; participants' beliefs about casino gambling shaped their gambling behavior; factors such as lack of accountability and life stage manifested as vulnerabilities for the progression of gambling addiction; and losses associated with gambling addiction went beyond fiscal measurement.