Responsible Gambling Awareness Week: Seniors at risk

More seniors are turning to gambling to escape boredom, loneliness or the recent loss of a loved one, says Mission Australia’s ACT Gambling Counselling and Support Service Counsellor Karen Rendall.

Ms Rendall (pictured) recently told Canberra’s City News that older people are a risk group for problem gambling, with many finding retirement lonely.

“They may be alone, with time on their hands and few or no other leisure activities,” Ms Rendall said. “Clubs offer a friendly, warm and cosy place to go to."

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About Mission Australia

Mission Australia is a community service organisation that has been transforming the lives of Australians in need for more than 150 years. Today we provide more than 550 community and employment services that help over 300,000 Australians a year.

Our vision is to see a fairer Australia by enabling people in need to find pathways to a better life. Walking alongside those in need, our 3,500 employees and 1,700 volunteers help them discover:

Pathways to strong families and healthy, happy children 
Pathways through a successful youth
Pathways away from homelessness
Pathways for life and work-ready skills
Pathways to sustainable employment

Working together we strengthen families, empower youth, strive to solve homelessness and provide employment solutions. By learning from others and sharing what works well for us, we are able to deliver positive outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

We aim to stop problems before they start, provide support to prevent situations from getting worse and form partnerships to find long-term solutions to community issues.