Pointless gambling drains seniors time, energy, and cash

Pointless gambling drains seniors time, energy, and cash

By Li Yajuan

I used to think that the casinos in the US are full of fashionable young people, sipping martinis while dressed to the nines, like James Bond in Casino Royale. After visiting Las Vegas, I found that I was completely wrong. The casinos in the US were actually occupied by white- and grey-haired players.

They sat still in front of the slot machines for hours. The lights of the colorful machines reflected off their bifocals. The only moving part of their body was the fingers that they used to push buttons of the slot machines.

Among the focused players, I found one familiar face - my neighbor Mrs Olson. She sat hunched over in her wheelchair, staring at the screen of a slot machine as if the whole world around her had disappeared.

How did a 70-year-old lady in wheelchair get to a casino? And how did casinos become the community activity center for American seniors?

Olson later told me that the casinos send free shuttle bus to pick old people up from their homes. They also offer cheap lunch and dinner buffet, which was a big attraction for seniors.

And of course, slot machines are always a great way to kill time. Some of the casinos even have "VIP Club Membership" with more perks for old players who come frequently. In a society where older people are often marginalized, casino operators have created an environment that makes them feel important.

How to help people enjoy their retirement has long been a problem in the US.
In a culture where individualism and independence are deeply rooted, most old people have retirement pension and they don't live with their adult children and grandchildren.

Therefore, they have a lot of free time to kill and some disposable money to spend. This group also has a strong desire for a social life. Ironically, only the casino industry picked up this marketing opportunity and capitalized on it.
I personally think it is very depressing.

Gambling might be able to bring some excitement to old people. However, it will eventually suck up their savings in the long run. Besides losing money, sitting in front of a slot machine for hours can cause a lot of health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Psychologist Daniel Goleman, in his book Social Intelligence, points out that it is extremely important for senior people to keep interacting with people to maintain mental health.

However, most seniors just focus on gambling and don't interact with other people.
Compared with their US counterparts, old people in China, or at least those with families to look after them, seem to have healthier lives.

Chinese culture emphasizes close bonds between family members and strong sense of community. Most old people live with their adult children after retirement to help take care of their grandchildren.

For example, my parents live with my brother, whose two-year-old daughter keeps them very busy. After she starts kindergarten next year, they will have a lot more free time. They plan to join the community activities group to learn Tai Chi and dancing.
Everything looks perfect until I ask "What else will you do?" "Well, not much, maybe playing mahjong or cards?"

Gambling can always find its way into the life of the elderly. I noticed that quite a few of my parents' friends have been spending a lot of time around the mahjong table after their grandchildren started school.

This is probably for the same reasons why retired Americans frequently visit casinos.
Chinese society is going through dramatic changes. Fast-paced economic growth boosts a fast-paced life style. Young people have less time to spend with their parents.
Meanwhile, most industries focus on young people who have more buying power. Even TV programs and movies neglect old people. Therefore, small scale gambling becomes the best way for old people to kill time.

Compared with US casinos, the Chinese mahjong table is a better way to socialize with friends. However, it can also have a negative impact on old people's health.
I hope that while focusing on economic development, we should pay more attention to the elderly and create better ways for them to enjoy their retirement.

The author is a cultural critic who lives in New York and works for Google.