Casino gambling and aging consumers: Overcoming barriers and reaping the benefits of experiential leisure consumption

This study uses an ethnographic participant observation approach and interview data to support extant findings that recreational casino gambling presents an important leisure opportunity for aging consumers. The findings suggest that participation in this activity is likely to lead to increased life satisfaction through leisure enjoyment, as well as improved social competence, independence, and role continuation. In addition, this study identifies ways that casino operators may neutralize the typical barriers to leisure participation among this group and provide the positive consequences of meaningful leisure, including the fantasy, feeling, and fun aspects of casino gambling which characterize it as a key experiential consumption activity for older consumers. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: [email protected] Website: http://www.HaworthPress.com.