Springfield officials, MGM and community groups push outreach after concerns about seniors and gambling

City and community officials met to discuss problem gambling among older residents and planned outreach efforts, highlighting local resources and partnerships.

City Commissioner Carlton said Springfield maintains a dedicated point of contact: "The city of Springfield does have a problem gambling coordinator. Her name is Teresa Glenn," and noted the city is running prevention and intervention programs funded in part through gaming and health grants.

The discussion came as an MGM Springfield representative described the casino's responsible-gaming work and onsite tools. The representative said the casino and its partners "want you to come. We want you to have a good time, but that's who we want it to be. We don't want it to be anything more than you are here for entertainment," and described a budgeting tool, Play My Way, that lets rewards members "set themselves a daily, weekly, or monthly budget." The representative also said GameSense advisers and monthlong activities are planned for Responsible Gaming Education Month, and that MGM will host a press event next Monday between 12 and 2 p.m.

Elder Affairs staff framed the problem as one of vulnerability, not necessarily higher prevalence: "One of the big concerns with seniors is not necessarily that they have a higher percentage... but the impact and the vulnerability," the staff member said, urging training for service providers to spot financial distress and start conversations.

Commissioner Carlton and other speakers cited local availability of gambling options. "There are 202 retail lottery places in our city as of 2023. There are 7 online sportsbooks that can be accessed in our city and, of course, MGM," Carlton said, adding that some residents view lotteries and casinos as a source of "hope."

Speakers raised several pathways that can deepen harm: buses that transport residents from elderly housing to casinos, family members who may take money from older relatives, and medical side effects. An elder-care provider warned that some Parkinson's medications can increase impulsivity and trigger gambling behavior.

Participants outlined outreach steps rather than formal policy changes: scheduling presentations at senior centers, partnering with MGM and the Massachusetts Council for Gaming and Health on informational events, posting local resource pages on the city's website, and connecting people to Gamblers Anonymous and a 1-800 hotline referral system. City staff said the city will share the PowerPoint from recent community focus groups and coordinate with Teresa Glenn for senior-center presentations.

Speakers emphasized barriers: seniors often avoid reporting abuse by family members, and Gamblers Anonymous meetings are limited locally, making access to counseling and peer support uneven. A library clinician and recovery specialist urged more clinician training and local meeting availability.

No motions or formal votes were taken at the meeting. Participants described the session as a coordination and information-sharing meeting that will lead to continued outreach and education rather than immediate regulatory change.

An open house and other senior-center activities were announced to promote alternatives to gambling and connect older residents with services.