University of Queensland research is uncovering why a flutter on the pokies can lead to bigger problems for some older adults.

Professor Bill von Hippel, from UQ's School of Psychology, has conducted research suggesting gambling problems among older adults may result from decreased self-control brought about by age-related decline in the frontal lobes of the brain.

This research was published in the latest issue of the journal Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition.

"These results raise the possibility that increased gambling among older adults might not always be an issue of personal choice," Professor von Hippel said.

"In our samples of older adult gamblers, those who had more difficulty with tasks that rely on the frontal lobes were also more likely to have gambling problems.

"And these gambling problems appeared to be important, as they were associated with financial difficulties and depression."