Gambling Situations among Seniors in Ubon Ratchathani Province and Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to conduct a study on gambling behaviors among  seniors in Ubon Ratchathani Province and and Nakhon Ratchasima Province.The target group selected by purposive-sampling method in the study was 300 people at the age range over 60 (years old).  Data was collected through questionnaires and analyzed by descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation.

            The findings showed that 256 people out of 300 liked to gamble, but 44 people did not. The lowest range of gambler’s age was 60 and the highest was 91. The popular top 5 gambling types, included lottery, illegal Thai lottery, high-low, and SET lottery. Motive factors of gambling behavior involved (1) luck and winning opportunities (2) healthiness and (3) gambling as part of Thai people’s way of life. Based on their personal belief they strongly agreed that gambling results would always turn positive; therefore, they intentionally act out such behavior as well as express their positive attitude toward gambling, according to theory of planned behavior.