Before catching the bus in New York for one of his casino trips to Atlantic City, Antonio Fava swore to himself he wouldn't gamble more than he could afford. It's a promise, he insists, he always keeps.
"I have $50 with me. When I'm finished with that, I'm done," said Fava, a 76-year-old Brooklyn retiree. "Once in a while, I come here to gamble a little bit and have a good time. I'm in control."
But a new gambling study published in the journal Psychology and Aging suggests not all senior citizens have Fava's self-control. It concludes the elderly are more likely to develop gambling problems than younger people. The study also finds older gamblers face a greater suicide risk.
Philadelphian Jake Brownstein, an 85-year-old veteran of World War II, joked that he is too scared to commit suicide. Brownstein said he gambles at the blackjack tables to relax, but occasionally will bet $5 or $10 playing the slot machines.
"I don't have any gambling problems," he stressed.
Making no attempt to hide their skepticism and amusement, other elderly gamblers scoffed Tuesday at the study's findings. They said they put themselves on a strict budget and consider gambling a fun, relatively inexpensive diversion from the monotony of old age.
"We're on a pension, so we never overspend. We're kind of cheap," said Major Leddy, 80, as he and his wife, Luraine, 82, played slot machines at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort.
For the complete story, please see Donald Wittkowski, Seniors scoff at study that places them at greater risk for gambling problems , pressof AtlanticCity.com, September 17, 2008.
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