Seniors Experiences with Gambling and their Social Support Networks
The Responsible Gambling Council is conducting focus groups with seniors, spouses and adult-children of seniors who may be experiencing problem gambling across Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa, London, Windsor, St. Catherines & Thunder Bay). The goals of the research are to:
- Learn more about seniors experiences with gambling problems,
- Identify current problems or issues with seniors and problem gambling,
- Determine what motivates seniors to gamble, as well as how transitions into later life puts seniors at risk of developing gambling problems,
- Learn about how gambling problems have impacted your relationship with your spouse and/or adult children, and
- Learn about first-hand experiences of spouses and adult children with a partner or parent who has a gambling problem.
You are being invited to share your thoughts and opinions about your experiences with problem gambling in a focus group setting with up to ten others who have had similar experiences.
Procedure:The focus groups will take place at a location nearby and will consist of a short 5 minute questionnaire and a 1.5 hour-long focus group session. During this time you will be asked questions relating to:
- Demographics
- History with personal, spousal or parental gambling and gambling problems
- Seniors experiences in seeking treatment
- Spouse’s experience in dealing with a partner who has a gambling problem
- Adult-children’s experience in dealing with a parent who has a gambling problem
- Any recommendations you may have for seniors problem gambling
Compensation:In exchange for participating in this focus group, you will be offered a $100 gift certificate to a local mall/grocery store.
Voluntary/Confidential/Anonymous:Your participation in this research is completely voluntary: You may refuse to participate, withdraw at any time, and refuse to answer questions you don’t want to answer.
All of the information you provide for this study will remain strictly confidential and anonymous. The only people who will have access to the information you provide throughout the study will be the staff at the Responsible Gambling Council who are directly involved in the study. Neither the casino, nor any other authority, will ever know what information you have provided.
Contact:If interested please contact Cynthia Lucar at 1-888-391-1111 x 237 or Chris Glover at x 235.
Information about treatment centres, help line numbers and Gamblers Anonymous.
