James Bell, 67, a retired electrician from Seattle, Washington, admits that he probably spends at least an hour a day gambling online. "When there's little or nothing to watch on television," James says, "I'll usually turn on the computer, send a few e-mails, then play a few. Poker's my game."

James confesses that he's spending a little more than he's winning, but then he isn't worried that his gambling habits will ever become much of a problem. "I'm retired and I have a lot of free time on my hands," he says. "Okay, maybe I have more time than money, but I try keep things under control."

The thrill of winning is a huge draw for James, but then so is the risk factor. "It's exciting and a great escape," he says. "See, my wife passed away a couple of years ago and it's been a little lonely around here. So I gamble a bit and make a few bucks. It's not a bad thing."

A growing population of American seniors aged 55 and older, like James Bell, have embraced the Internet and are shopping, surfing and gambling online. It's socially acceptable, for the most part. So why are so many seniors gambling online?

Boredom, loneliness, depression - these are just a few of the reasons why so many seniors are turning their computers on and spending more time at home alone and online. Maybe they're looking for an escape from loss - the loss of a career or spouse - or maybe they're just looking for something new.

With the Internet at their fingertips, today's computer savvy seniors now have a wide variety of casinos to choose from - and that means not having to travel far to get in a few games of blackjack or take a few spins on the slots.

Easy access to casinos on the Internet creates a sense of control as it puts the online player in charge of when and where they want to play, and how much they want to spend. And then there's the excitement factor. A win is a win, after all, and an online win gives instant, high-speed gratification.

But that also gives these free-wheeling, elderly card sharks added incentive to continue playing and spending. Is that a bad thing?

For some seniors the danger in spending too much time gambling online results in a dwindling savings account - money that can't be recouped by a regular income. Excessive gambling, however, can also lead to depression and social isolation.

But it isn't all bad. Many seniors have created online friendships with their gambling cohorts. The thrill of beating the odds can have a positive effect on one's self-esteem and some psychologists feel the anonymous interaction with other online players removes the stigma that accompanies old age.

A surge in the senior population over the next decade could find even more seniors gambling online when the so-called Baby Boomers enter into old age.

For now, James of Seattle is making the most of his retirement years by staying connected with family members via e-mail, and he's happy with the new friends he's made online. But the biggest benefit of gambling online, he says, is not having to get "gussied up" to play poker at his favorite casino. "I've been to Las Vegas," James says. "It's nice, but it's a little too far and a little too fancy."