Indigenous Australian gambling crime and possible interventions: A qualitative study

This paper has two purposes. First, we examine crime associated with the consequences of card and commercial gambling by Indigenous Australians in two states, in north Queensland (QLD) and in northern New South Wales (NSW). Second, we identify public health interventions potentially useful for reducing harmful gambling consequences. Permission was granted by Indigenous Elders and a university ethics committee to conduct this research. Using qualitative methods and purposeful sampling, interviews were conducted with 229 Indigenous Australians and 79 non-Indigenous gambling help counsellors, gaming venue managers and others. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interviews. Results show two types of crime were most evident, those committed to support a gambling habit (fraud and theft) and family dysfunction. Potential interventions reported to hold promise for minimising some harmful gambling consequences include: appropriate community education and awareness campaigns targeting Indigenous gamblers, families and their communities; the provision of Indigenous gambling outreach services; and culturally appropriate gambling counselling and treatment services. As gambling issues are interlinked with cultural, social and economic influences, the real challenge is to work with regional Indigenous communities to develop and deliver relevant holistic interventions appropriate to their needs

A case study of gambling involvement and its consequences

Gambling has attracted minimal recent research in leisure studies. Focusing on Indigenous Australian gambling, this article draws on theoretical frameworks in leisure and gambling to develop gambling involvement profiles. Using qualitative methods, 169 Indigenous Australians were interviewed. Thematic analysis generated three typical gambler profiles-light, binge and heavy gamblers-distinguishable by different gambling behaviors, motivations and consequences. Analysis of the dimensions of leisure involvement revealed that light and heavy gamblers differed according to importance/interest, pleasure, centrality, self-expression, social bonding, risk probability, and risk consequence. The article demonstrates the application to gambling of certain leisure involvement constructs. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

Indigenous gambling motivations, behaviour and consequences in northern New South Wales, Australia

Against a background of public health, we sought to examine and explain gambling behaviours, motivations and consequences of Indigenous Australians in northern New South Wales. Adhering to national Aboriginal and ethical guidelines and using qualitative methods, 169 Indigenous Australians were interviewed individually and in small groups using semi-structured interviews. Over 100 in-depth interviews were conducted. Using thematic analysis, the results indicate a range of contrasting social and more problematic gambling behaviours, motivations and consequences. Acknowledging the cultural distinctiveness of Indigenous gambling and distinguishing between their social and more problematic gambling behaviours, motivations and consequences can assist with public health prevention, harm reduction and treatment programs for Indigenous gamblers in all parts of Australia. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

Consequences of commercial gambling for indigenous communities in New South Wales, Australia

All rights reserved.One of the complexities of gambling not well understood is its distinctive impacts on different populations and cultural groups, including Indigenous and First Nations peoples. The term Indigenous Australians has been used to include all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples unless otherwise quoted. To help advance understanding in this area, this chapter examines the consequences of commercial gambling for Indigenous Australians. It first provides an overview of the social and economic status of Indigenous Australians, a brief historical account and review of Indigenous Australian gambling. The research methods for the study are then described including the social constructivist approach taken, qualitative methodology, ethical considerations and sampling technique. Using semi-structured interviews we captured the views of a cross-section of people including 169 Indigenous Australians, 21 non-Indigenous gaming venue managers and 10 non-Indigenous gambling counsellors in six regional sites in New South Wales. The interviews were conducted by three researchers, one Indigenous man and two non-Indigenous women in places nominated by the participants. The Indigenous man took the lead in all interviews. In most cases, the Indigenous people's interviews were not recorded, in respect for cultural issues. Instead, extensive notes were taken and transcribed immediately. Results are presented and discussed as positive and negative consequences of gambling. Common positive consequences were reported to include socialising, enjoyment, social acceptance, physical comfort, an opportunity to win money and some reduced alcohol consumption. Negative consequences commonly arising from gambling were reported as financial hardship, family difficulties, relationship problems, extended negative community impacts, exploitation of vulnerable others, mental health issues and some crime. Gambling consequences, once identified, can be highlighted in public health and community education campaigns to heighten awareness of gambling impacts among Indigenous gamblers. © 2015 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc

Gambling impacts on Aboriginal communities in New South Wales, Australia: Community leaders’ perspectives

Gambling affects communities in many ways, yet relatively little research has investigated community level impacts of gambling in the context of Indigenous communities. To help address this gap in research, this research investigates the impacts of gambling on Aboriginal communities across New South Wales, Australia. Thirteen Aboriginal community leaders were interviewed by an Aboriginal member of the research team. Interviews were semi-structured, in-depth and conducted by telephone. The results showed some culturally distinctive positive and negative gambling impacts were being experienced across different Aboriginal communities. Positive impacts were reported as collective socialising and the opportunity to win money. Negative impacts were said to be community deprivation and cultural obligations not being fulfilled. Several important public health strategies to reduce negative gambling impacts were suggested. These were to enable self-recognition of gambling difficulties by the gambler, to use already established Aboriginal support groups to assist in this process, and to design and provide culturally appropriate public education and gambling awareness programs targeted at a community level. Recognising differences between communities, involvement by local Aboriginal people in developing and providing public health programs is recommended

Gambling behaviour and gambling risk factors for Indigenous Australian women

Minimal detailed research has been conducted into gambling by Indigenous women, despite indications from previous studies that they tend to be highly involved gamblers and a high risk group for gambling problems. This quantitative analysis investigates key aspects of gambling by Indigenous Australian women and determines risk factors underpinning problem gambling. Study participants were 687 Indigenous women recruited from Indigenous sports and cultural festivals. The survey instrument focused on socio-demographic characteristics, age of first gamble, gambling motivations, gambling behaviour, substance use while gambling, problem gambling severity, harms arising from gambling and help-seeking efforts. The findings reveal elevated rates of gambling participation, especially on poker machines, and a high prevalence of gambling problems when compared to the general population. Indigenous women who are motivated to gamble to socialise with friends and family are significantly less likely to be problem gamblers. However, risk factors for problem gambling include gambling on a greater number of gambling forms, high gambling expenditure, early onset of gambling, escape-based gambling motivations, self-reported addiction to gambling, and using alcohol and drugs while gambling. Findings point to an urgent need for culturally appropriate treatment for Indigenous Australian women with gambling problems. Culturally appropriate community education and harm minimisation measures should also be available for Indigenous women who gamble given the seemingly high proportion likely to experience at least some harm from gambling. The cost of such approaches would be returned in the enhanced health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australian women, their families and communities. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Gambling motivations of indigenous Australians

Motivations to gamble are known to vary by gender and by type of gambling form, with stronger motivations associated with problem gambling. However, little is known about cultural differences in gambling motivations, with most previous research based on mainstream western populations and providing little insight into gambling motivations amongst minority groups. This chapter helps to address this gap in knowledge by examining gambling motivations amongst 1,259 Indigenous Australian respondents to a gambling survey conducted at several Indigenous cultural and sporting events, in Aboriginal communities and online. This survey represents the largest quantitative study of Australian Indigenous gambling to date. Differences in gambling motivations were examined between male and female Indigenous Australians, by main gambling form and by problem gambling severity. While motive orientations were similar to those found in general population surveys, the strength of these motives was proportionately higher amongst the Indigenous Australians, particularly amongst problem gamblers. In particular, the general tendency for women with gambling problems to gamble on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) as an avoidance-based coping mechanism was mirrored in this study, but of additional concern is the higher proportion of Indigenous women who gamble to escape compared to general population figures. Substantial proportions of indigenous men also reported escape-motivated gambling. While substantial efforts are needed to reduce life problems amongst Indigenous Australians and the social and structural inequities they face, providing alternative stress-reduction diversionary activities, promoting better coping strategies and targeted public messaging would also be beneficial to limit gambling-associated harm for this population. © 2015 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved

Gambling among Indigenous men and problem gambling risk factors: An Australian study

This paper aims to analyse the gambling activities and problem gambling risk factors for Indigenous Australian men, a topic which has previously drawn very little research attention. Using quantitative methods, we obtained a convenience sample of 1,259 women and men at Indigenous festivals, online and in several communities. This paper reports only on the responses of all 489 men in this sample. Risk factors significantly associated with problem gambling were being separated, divorced or widowed, working part-time, early gambling onset, using alcohol and/or drugs while gambling and spending high amounts of money on a favourite gambling form. Motivations significantly associated with risks of problem gambling were gambling to relax, because most family members and friends also gamble and self-reported addiction to gambling. However men who gamble to socialise with family and friends were significantly less likely to be problem gamblers. Risk factor identification may facilitate the development of effective preventative measures and risk management plans for Indigenous men. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Meanings of Aboriginal gambling across New South Wales, Australia

A social perspective of gambling explains gambling as a consequence of the social, structural and cultural environment in which gamblers live. In the Australian Indigenous context the social perspective is important, given the significance of community and family ties. This paper aims to explore meanings of Aboriginal gambling across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Taking an interpretivist stance, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 knowledgeable Indigenous Australians, key elected and nominated state representatives. Meanings of Aboriginal gambling included the collective activity of gambling within social networks in the hope of a win. More problematic meanings of gambling were always gambling to win, chasing losses and continual financial distress which appeared to reduce social network bonds. Contrasting problem gambling with recreational gambling revealed that some Indigenous gamblers use their existing cultural and kin relationships on which many of their social networks are based to gamble together in a controlled recreational manner. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

The gambling behavior of Indigenous Australians

The gambling activities of minority groups such as Indigenous peoples are usually culturally complex and poorly understood. To redress the scarcity of information and contribute to a better understanding of gambling by Indigenous people, this paper presents quantitative evidence gathered at three Australian Indigenous festivals, online and in several Indigenous communities. With support from Indigenous communities, the study collected and analyzed surveys from 1,259 self-selected Indigenous adults. Approximately 33 % of respondents gambled on card games while 80 % gambled on commercial gambling forms in the previous year. Gambling participation and involvement are high, particularly on electronic gaming machines (EGMs), the favorite and most regular form of gambling. Men are significantly more likely to participate in gambling and to gamble more frequently on EGMs, horse/dog races, sports betting and instant scratch tickets. This elevated participation and frequency of gambling on continuous forms would appear to heighten gambling risks for Indigenous men. This is particularly the case for younger Indigenous men, who are more likely than their older counterparts to gamble on EGMs, table games and poker. While distinct differences between the gambling behaviors of our Indigenous sample and non-Indigenous Australians are apparent, Australian Indigenous behavior appears similar to that of some Indigenous and First Nations populations in other countries. Although this study represents the largest survey of Indigenous Australian gambling ever conducted in New South Wales and Queensland, further research is needed to extend our knowledge of Indigenous gambling and to limit the risks from gambling for Indigenous peoples. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York