Background: Gambling is becoming more popular among older adults. Retirees who are depressed as a result of aging and losses may develop a gambling addiction. Older adults are also more prone to develop problem gambling due to loneliness and single-marital status. Problem gambling in older adults can result in debt, despair, relationship problems, and suicide. The purpose of this study was to conduct a phenomenological study based on the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change among older adults eliciting gambling experiences to develop recommendations for quitting gambling interventions.

Methods: This was a qualitative phenomenological study that utilized directed content analysis based on MTM. Following IRB approval, an MTM-designed 10-item semi-structured interview protocol was administered to a purposive sample of older adults near Las Vegas casinos. Data were collected until saturation was reached.

Results: Thematic analysis of participant interviews using directed content analyses revealed that the advantages of quitting gambling included saving money, spending more time with their families, and participating in recreational activities. On the downside, it resulted in stress, less fun, and the loss of gambling friends. For building behavioral confidence for quitting gambling self-control was important. Avoiding visiting casinos was also important for influencing the construct of changes in the physical environment. Transforming feelings, practicing quitting gambling, social support, and social media were all examples of continued behavior strategies.

Conclusion: The study has important implications for designing quantitative instruments, conducting quantitative cross-sectional studies for model testing, and developing MTM-based interventions to help older people quit gambling.