I Think My Dad Has A Gambling Problem

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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 at ncpgambling.org, a non-profit organization that operates. My father has a gambling problem he is going to the casino mostly everyday. We usually get in fights about this, he says he does not have a problem with gambling which i tell him that he does because he wont even admit it. How can i get him to understand he is a very stubborn and the macho type wich makes it harder. Im afraid that this might separate our family. Im 23 and i have a little. My father gives me money every month end.But from the last 4 months i didn't even use single rupee in it.When ever he gives me money i will place that money in gambling.Now i am left with nothing.I even borrowed money from my friends too.Now what should i do.How to stop gambling.I am not able to come out of it.I tried a lot but i am not able.

2 WHAT IS A GAMBLING PROBLEM? Your partner or family member has a gambling problem if they are (tick the ones that apply): n Spending too much time gambling or too much time thinking about gambling, neglecting other important activities (e.g. Time with you and your family, work, leisure activities). Anyone who flat-out denies they have a gambling problem, despite evidence to the contrary, is either well on their way to full-blown gambling addiction or is already there. By the time someone is deep into gambling, their behavior becomes consistent and predictable. They will do anything and say anything to get to their primary goal: gambling.

My dad has always spent ALOT of money on the lottery.
DadI 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.
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.

I Think My Wife Has A Gambling Problem

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 think my dad has a gambling problem among
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

I Think My Son Has A Gambling Problem

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.

I Think My Dad Has A Gambling Problem

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.

Dad
  • 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?

I Think My Dad Has A Gambling Problem Among

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.

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.