Both younger and older persons with pathological gambling (PG) moved toward a reduced level of gambling activity during follow-up in a recent longitudinal study of gambling behavior. The data challenges the notion that PG is chronic and progressive. Researchers evaluated 175 subjects: a case group of 53 older adults with PG (≥60 years), and 2 comparison groups including 72 younger adults with PG (<40 years) and 50 older adults without PG (≥60 years). Subjects were evaluated at intake and reassessed every 6 months and drop outs were replaced. They found:

• At intake, older adults with PG were more likely to be female, Caucasian, divorced, and to have a lower level of education.
• Older and younger adults with PG were similar in gambling severity, but the older cohort was more likely to have sought PG treatment.
• Older adults with PG had lower rates of lifetime drug use disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Older adults with PG preferred slots, were more likely to receive PG treatment, and were less likely to discontinue participation in the study.