Why do Hong Kong’s elderly like to gamble? Arrest of 90-year-old reveals depth of problem
- Experts say some elderly residents, who often have ample free time, may fall into gambling as a way to socialise and tackle loneliness
Loneliness is the main reason some elderly Hong Kong people take up illegal gambling, experts have said, noting facilities for the aged are not attractive enough to cater to the recreational and social needs of everyone.
Academics told the Post on Monday that gambling itself did not directly cause deviant behaviour, but warned that a “neutral” perception of the activity might have led some elderly people to take it up in retirement.
“Often the situation is that the elderly are retired, their children might not be able to look after them during the day and some of their friends might have also died, so there is a sense of loneliness,” said Augusta Yim Ting-ling, a registered counselling psychologist at Zion Social Service, which provides help to those with gambling problems.
Similar cases have also been identified in recent years, including back in 2021 when a 99-year-old was among the arrestees.