The woman seemed lonely. We watched her strike up conversations with several strangers before she spotted us and ambled over to offer some “advice.”

My husband and I had taken a bus trip north to a casino resort and, big spenders that we are, were sitting next to each other at penny slot machines.

The friendly blonde, who appeared to be in her 70s, began pointing out which kinds of machines were “lucky,” at least for her.

She should know. Probably she has played every slot machine of every denomination in the place.

We learned she visits that casino about four times a week, even though she lives more than an hour away from it.

She also told us she frequently drives to the casino in the wee hours of the morning to spend three or four hours gambling before heading home about the time her husband wakes up!

“All the night staff know me by name,” she boasted.

I’ll bet they do.

This woman was not the first such person we have encountered and, unfortunately, she probably won’t be the last.

I still remember the frail-looking elderly woman sitting forlornly on a bench in the ladies room of an Atlantic City casino years ago.

Speaking to a friend, she revealed she had blown her Social Security check in an hour that morning and now had nothing to do until the bus left for home early that evening.

A retired neighbor, now deceased, once told me he could not buy food because he blew over $100 on lottery tickets, hoping to hit “the big one.” This was a man on a very modest fixed income.

Fortunately folks like these are in the minority. Most people are able to pick up a few lottery tickets or visit a casino occasionally without becoming problem gamblers.

The majority of us set budgets for such recreation and have the discipline to stay within our allotments. But the ranks of problem gamblers are swelling.

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 2 to 3 million people in the United States meet the criteria for pathological gambling. And another 4 to 6 million are considered problem gamblers.

All economic classes are affected. The lower class may be playing for the next paycheck. Wealthy gamblers can blow tens of thousands of dollars in a few hours.

The odds, of course, are always in favor of the house.

According to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, total revenue at the state’s 12 casinos in January totaled $255.9 million.

That’s just in one month! Obviously, the only big winners were the casinos.

According to researchers, older adults are at greater risk of becoming problem gamblers because the activity often fills a psychological void in their lives.

Some seek an escape from boredom. Others crave the social interactions and excitement.

Seniors also have more disposable income. After years of frugality and sacrifice, many older adults view gambling as a chance to take risks they never dared take before.

The gaming industry, too, works hard to lure seniors. Casinos provide low-cost bus trips, inexpensive or free buffets, and even money for slots or bingo.

Folks who gamble away large sums receive free hotel stays, meals and shows.

According to addiction counselors, warning signs of a gambling problem may include neglecting responsibilities, family and friends; going to extremes, including insurance fraud or theft, to get money; being constantly short of funds for necessities, such as food, medications and bills; denying a problem exists; and experiencing bouts of depression, mood swings and suicidal thoughts.

Gambling is not the way to make quick money. Occasional modest gambling can be fun.

Personally, I can make $5 in a penny slot machine last for hours, and sometimes I end up cashing out seven or eight bucks when it’s time to quit.

But problem gambling, especially for the elderly who cannot recoup their lost nest eggs, is anything but fun. It is devastating.

Seniors have everything to lose.

For help and information: Pennsylvania Compulsive Gambling Hotline at 1-800-848-1880 or National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.