My dad has always spent ALOT of money on the lottery.
I moved out about 4 years ago, but recently moved back in with him over the summer, because he asked me and my husband to. He is having serious financial problems.
My father never admitted he had a gambling problem either. But I found out my dad never knew who his father was and just before he died of a heart attack at the age of 50, he told me. I know understand where the root of addiction comes from for some. My father grew up without a dad and a very domineering mother who was a borderline sociopath. Anyone who has lived with a gambler, or been in a long-term relationship with one, is going to have some emotional problems. No gets away unscathed. There is a wealth of support groups like Gam-Anon and Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) to help the families of gamblers. Keep information on hand about support groups and facilities for the gamblers.
- My husband is addicted to gambling; he is the only one who provides for us but he doesnt have a job for about 2 years now. So all the money we have are from his accident money from his previous job. I just wanna have an outlet to let all of my resentment and hurt I have suffered towards my husband's addiction to gambling. He also is a womanizer.
- Q: I'm worried that my 76-year-old father has become addicted to gambling. He spends at least two days a week at an Indian casino about a half-hour's drive from his house playing slot machines.
If he doesn't have taxes paid by January, he will lose his house. Ontop of his gambling addiction, he is in credit debt, and loan debt. He has his credit cards consolidated. He also has a impulsive buying habit, but since I've moved in, that has SEEMED To have gotten better.
The thing is, he just doesn't have money. I went through all of his expenses, and income, and he should have HUNDREDS of dollars left over each month. like 7-800! and he doesn't. He also is lying to me about his spending.
I have invested pretty much all of my savings into helping pay this years taxes, and his school taxes, but he still owes quite a bit more, that HAS to be paid by January. My husband and I are living off bare minimums and do not have extra money to just give him. We can help pay some of his bills, utilities, food, etc, since we are living here, but my dad makes easily twice as much as we do!
He was trying to hide his habit for a while, but got sloppy. He has an cupboard where he keeps important documents, and other things. I looked in there the other day and saw that it was PACKED with his expired lotto tickets.
We had an argument last night about what he did with certain money that was supposed to go toward taxes. He only paid $550 of it, and it was supposed to be $900.
I then asked him how much and how often he is spending on lotto.
He would not answer me, starting yelling at me, telling me he didn't need to explain himself to anyone.
I left and came back several hours later. I decided tonight to look in his cupboard again, to get an idea of how much he spends on lotto, and he took every single ticket out of there.
What am I supposed to do? I am as financially responsible now as he is, if he loses his house in January, then my husband, and 2 children as well as me, will have no where to go. We have given my dad ALL of our money. My dad has lived in this house for over 60 years and I couldn't stand seeing him so stressed out over losing it.
I want to try to talk to him, to get him to admit he has a problem, to see if he would be willing to go to counseling, but I really don't think he would.
Any suggestions? I'm in over my head, and don't know what to do! I'm not even 24 yet, have student loans of my own, my own family, and ontop of that, I am worrying about the impulsive lottery addiction that has ruined my dad's life.
Dear Savvy Senior,
I'm worried that my 76-year-old father has become addicted to gambling. He spends at least two days a week at an Indian casino about a half-hour's drive from his house playing slot machines. What can I do?
Worried Daughter
Dear Worried,
Problem gambling among older adults is unfortunately on the rise. Studies suggest that more than 4 million Americans, age 65 and older, could have a gambling problem. The reasons behind this growing problem are because seniors have time and money on their hands and the influx of casinos that have cropped up around the country have made access to gambling much more convenient. Here's what you should know, along with some tips and resources that can help your dad if he does indeed have a problem.
Problem Gambling
For most older adults, gambling is simply a fun recreational activity, but for those who become addicted to it, it can be a devastating disease that can financially wipe them out.
There are a number of reasons why seniors can be vulnerable to gambling problems. For starters, seniors are often catered to by casinos with free bus transportation, free drinks, discounted meals, special rewards and other prizes as a way to entice them.
In addition, many seniors use gambling as a way to distract or escape feelings of loneliness, depression or even a chronic health condition. Some may have financial problems they are seeking to overcome. And some may have cognitive impairment that interferes with their ability to make sound decisions.
Adding to the problem is that many seniors may not understand addiction, making them less likely to identify a gambling problem. Or they may be confused or embarrassed that they can't control their urges to gamble and reluctant to seek help because they think that at their age, they should know better. And even if they recognize that they have a problem, they may not know that help is available or where to get it.
You should also know that while there are many gambling options for people to get hooked on today, casino slot machines are far and away the most popular among seniors. Slot machines are much more addictive then the old machines of yesteryear with spinning lemons, cherries and melons. Many of today's slot machines offer intense sensory stimulation with large video screens, music and vibrating, ergonomic chairs.
Get Help
How can you know if your dad has a gambling problem? Gamblers Anonymous offers a 20-question online test at GamblersAnonymous.org that he can take to help determine if he has a problem. In the meantime, here are some questions you can ask to help evaluate his situation. Casino valkenburg restaurant menu geneva.
My Brother Has A Gambling Problem
- Is he preoccupied with gambling, constantly talking about it, or planning to gamble versus doing his normal activities?
- Is he gambling more and more money to get the same level of excitement?
- Is he using his retirement funds or other savings to gamble, or is he pawning or selling personal items to get money to gamble with?
- Has he lost control to the point that he can't set a limit of time and money to spend in the casino, and stick to it?
- Does he become uncomfortable, angry or lie when you ask him about his gambling activities?
My father never admitted he had a gambling problem either. But I found out my dad never knew who his father was and just before he died of a heart attack at the age of 50, he told me. I know understand where the root of addiction comes from for some. My father grew up without a dad and a very domineering mother who was a borderline sociopath. Anyone who has lived with a gambler, or been in a long-term relationship with one, is going to have some emotional problems. No gets away unscathed. There is a wealth of support groups like Gam-Anon and Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) to help the families of gamblers. Keep information on hand about support groups and facilities for the gamblers.
- My husband is addicted to gambling; he is the only one who provides for us but he doesnt have a job for about 2 years now. So all the money we have are from his accident money from his previous job. I just wanna have an outlet to let all of my resentment and hurt I have suffered towards my husband's addiction to gambling. He also is a womanizer.
- Q: I'm worried that my 76-year-old father has become addicted to gambling. He spends at least two days a week at an Indian casino about a half-hour's drive from his house playing slot machines.
If he doesn't have taxes paid by January, he will lose his house. Ontop of his gambling addiction, he is in credit debt, and loan debt. He has his credit cards consolidated. He also has a impulsive buying habit, but since I've moved in, that has SEEMED To have gotten better.
The thing is, he just doesn't have money. I went through all of his expenses, and income, and he should have HUNDREDS of dollars left over each month. like 7-800! and he doesn't. He also is lying to me about his spending.
I have invested pretty much all of my savings into helping pay this years taxes, and his school taxes, but he still owes quite a bit more, that HAS to be paid by January. My husband and I are living off bare minimums and do not have extra money to just give him. We can help pay some of his bills, utilities, food, etc, since we are living here, but my dad makes easily twice as much as we do!
He was trying to hide his habit for a while, but got sloppy. He has an cupboard where he keeps important documents, and other things. I looked in there the other day and saw that it was PACKED with his expired lotto tickets.
We had an argument last night about what he did with certain money that was supposed to go toward taxes. He only paid $550 of it, and it was supposed to be $900.
I then asked him how much and how often he is spending on lotto.
He would not answer me, starting yelling at me, telling me he didn't need to explain himself to anyone.
I left and came back several hours later. I decided tonight to look in his cupboard again, to get an idea of how much he spends on lotto, and he took every single ticket out of there.
What am I supposed to do? I am as financially responsible now as he is, if he loses his house in January, then my husband, and 2 children as well as me, will have no where to go. We have given my dad ALL of our money. My dad has lived in this house for over 60 years and I couldn't stand seeing him so stressed out over losing it.
I want to try to talk to him, to get him to admit he has a problem, to see if he would be willing to go to counseling, but I really don't think he would.
Any suggestions? I'm in over my head, and don't know what to do! I'm not even 24 yet, have student loans of my own, my own family, and ontop of that, I am worrying about the impulsive lottery addiction that has ruined my dad's life.
Dear Savvy Senior,
I'm worried that my 76-year-old father has become addicted to gambling. He spends at least two days a week at an Indian casino about a half-hour's drive from his house playing slot machines. What can I do?
Worried Daughter
Dear Worried,
Problem gambling among older adults is unfortunately on the rise. Studies suggest that more than 4 million Americans, age 65 and older, could have a gambling problem. The reasons behind this growing problem are because seniors have time and money on their hands and the influx of casinos that have cropped up around the country have made access to gambling much more convenient. Here's what you should know, along with some tips and resources that can help your dad if he does indeed have a problem.
Problem Gambling
For most older adults, gambling is simply a fun recreational activity, but for those who become addicted to it, it can be a devastating disease that can financially wipe them out.
There are a number of reasons why seniors can be vulnerable to gambling problems. For starters, seniors are often catered to by casinos with free bus transportation, free drinks, discounted meals, special rewards and other prizes as a way to entice them.
In addition, many seniors use gambling as a way to distract or escape feelings of loneliness, depression or even a chronic health condition. Some may have financial problems they are seeking to overcome. And some may have cognitive impairment that interferes with their ability to make sound decisions.
Adding to the problem is that many seniors may not understand addiction, making them less likely to identify a gambling problem. Or they may be confused or embarrassed that they can't control their urges to gamble and reluctant to seek help because they think that at their age, they should know better. And even if they recognize that they have a problem, they may not know that help is available or where to get it.
You should also know that while there are many gambling options for people to get hooked on today, casino slot machines are far and away the most popular among seniors. Slot machines are much more addictive then the old machines of yesteryear with spinning lemons, cherries and melons. Many of today's slot machines offer intense sensory stimulation with large video screens, music and vibrating, ergonomic chairs.
Get Help
How can you know if your dad has a gambling problem? Gamblers Anonymous offers a 20-question online test at GamblersAnonymous.org that he can take to help determine if he has a problem. In the meantime, here are some questions you can ask to help evaluate his situation. Casino valkenburg restaurant menu geneva.
My Brother Has A Gambling Problem
- Is he preoccupied with gambling, constantly talking about it, or planning to gamble versus doing his normal activities?
- Is he gambling more and more money to get the same level of excitement?
- Is he using his retirement funds or other savings to gamble, or is he pawning or selling personal items to get money to gamble with?
- Has he lost control to the point that he can't set a limit of time and money to spend in the casino, and stick to it?
- Does he become uncomfortable, angry or lie when you ask him about his gambling activities?
If your dad answers yes to any of these questions, he may have a problem. To find help contact the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPgambling. org), a non-profit organization that operates a 24-hour national hotline at 800-522-4700. They can direct you to resources in your area, including counselors who have been trained through the National Certified Gambler Counseling Program.
My Parents Have A Gambling Problem
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of 'The Savvy Senior' book.
