Problem gambling can affect anyone, but new research from West Virginia is raising questions about how older adults may be affected. A doctoral researcher at West Virginia University has found that demand for certain slot machines rises on days when many people receive Social Security payments.
The finding does not prove that seniors are gambling away their benefits, but it highlights why problem gambling deserves attention—especially when money is limited.
September was Problem Gambling Education Month, which voices a message similar to the one that Lady Luck HQ sent to casino gamblers last year. Other recent studies unveiled additional risks that come along with gambling that may be hidden, and that younger people are also turning to gambling to help pay their bills.
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling is a pattern of gambling that harms a person’s life, finances, relationships, mental health, or ability to meet everyday needs. It is not simply about losing money once. Warning signs can include:
- Gambling with money needed for rent, food, medicine, or bills
- Borrowing money to gamble or pay gambling debts
- Trying to win back losses
- Hiding gambling from family or friends
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop
- Chasing the excitement of gambling even after repeated losses
Problem gambling is treatable. Support can include counseling, support groups, financial guidance, and tools that block gambling websites or apps. West Virginia’s Problem Gambling Help Network operates a 24/7 helpline and connects people with treatment and recovery resources.
What West Virginia Researchers Found
Matt Mullis, a doctoral student researcher at WVU’s Center for Gaming Research and Development, studies real gambling transaction data in West Virginia. He noticed that demand for Hot Spot slot machines increases on Social Security payment days, which usually fall on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Mullis said the timing suggests that some portion of a transfer payment may be used for gambling soon after it arrives.
“In one month, 25% of the bettors in our mobile slots data placed more than a thousand bets each,” Mullis said. “Our work at the Center for Gaming Research is largely about observing the changing behavior in this new market. By giving us this data for research, West Virginia is looking to understand the risks and protect consumers.”
That does not mean every person receiving Social Security is gambling, nor does it prove exactly how much money seniors spend. The research is observational: it shows a pattern in the data, but more study would be needed to establish cause and effect.
Why the Data Matters
West Virginia created a way for researchers to study gambling behavior through its 2024 Responsible Gaming Research and Industry Development Act. The law allows WVU to analyze anonymized gambling data from the West Virginia Lottery, including information such as deposits, withdrawals, bet-level data, and use of responsible gaming tools. Personal identifying details are removed before researchers receive the data.
Mullis’s work looks at many forms of legal gambling in the state, including online slots, poker, sports betting, video lottery terminals, and the lottery. West Virginia has an unusually wide range of legal gambling options, which gives researchers a chance to study behavior across different games and platforms.
A closer look at mobile slots:
One part of the research focuses on mobile slots—slot-machine games played through phones or other online devices. The numbers show how quickly small bets can add up.
- The average mobile slots bet in West Virginia is about $1.
- In one month, a single operator recorded as many as 43 million mobile slots bets from roughly 16,000 players.
- In one month of mobile slots data, 25% of bettors placed more than 1,000 bets each.
- Some high-spending players, sometimes called “whales,” deposit hundreds of dollars nearly every day.
A $1 bet may sound harmless. But placing hundreds or thousands of bets in a month can lead to major losses, especially for someone chasing money they have already lost.
The Human Cost of Problem Gambling
Sheila Moran, director of marketing and communications for 1-800-GAMBLER, says calls from older adults are especially heartbreaking.
She explains that many seniors do not have years of working income ahead of them to replace lost money. Some are already choosing between basic needs such as groceries and prescription drugs.
Moran says some older adults gamble because they hope to double their money and cover essential expenses. That hope can become dangerous. Gambling outcomes are unpredictable, and trying to “win back” losses often leads to even greater financial harm.
Action Network Responsible Gambling Resources
For everyday bettors, staying informed and in control is just as important as industry reform. Platforms like Action Network provide tools and content designed to support responsible gambling habits.
Action Network offers:
- Educational guides on bankroll management
- Betting insights that focus on data, not impulsive decisions
- Content that encourages informed and measured wagering
- Resources that highlight the risks of over-betting
While it is primarily known for sports betting analysis and online casino information, Action Network also promotes awareness around responsible play and encourages users to treat betting as entertainment, not a source of income.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with gambling, it is important to seek help through professional organizations or national helplines.
If gambling is causing stress, debt, or conflict at home, help is available. In West Virginia, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or visit 1800GAMBLER.net. The helpline is available 24 hours a day and offers confidential support and referrals.
Gambling should never be treated as a way to solve money problems. The new West Virginia data is a reminder that easy access to gambling can become risky when people are under financial pressure—and that asking for help early can make a real difference.
