Asian Hotline Gambling in Chinese Community in Christchurch Asian Gambling Forum 2009 Auckland Simon Tam JP Dip.Alc Ds. Dip. Sowk. MANZASW Counsellor/social worker Problem gambling Foundation

Asian Hotline Christchurch’s Population Total: 369,570 Asian: 26,631 (9.2%) Chinese: 12,477 Korean: 4,566 Indian: 3,057 Resource: Census statistic 2006

Asian Hotline Christchurch Asian Service survey from Asian communities shows that a Asian service for problem gamblers is needed – An Asian counsellor/ social worker was employed

Asian Hotline Chinese Gambling Participation within the Hospitality Industry Research 2003 Tam, Tan (2003)

Asian Hotline Participants: Five restaurants, three Fish & Chip shop owners and their staff, a total of ninety people were randomly selected for the study in the Christchurch City Resource: Tam, Tan ( 2003)

Asian Hotline Results: Total 90 participants 15-Non- gamblers 21-gamblers but did not participate in 8 Gambling Screen 54- gamblers participated in 8 Gambling Screen 47-gamblers scored 3 or more in 8 Gambling Screen 55-Males, 35-Females ( age between 20 – 61 yrs) Resource: Tam, Tan (2003)

Asian Hotline “Eight” gambling Screen 1.Sometimes I’ve felt depressed or anxious after a session of gambling. 2.Sometimes I’ve felt guilty about the way I gamble. 3.When I think about it, gambling has sometimes caused me problems. 4.Sometimes I’ve found it better not to tell others, especially my family, about the amount of time or money I spend gambling. 5.I often find that when I stop gambling I’ve run out of money. 6.Often I get the urge to return to gambling to win back losses from a past session. 7.Yes, I have received criticism about my gambling in the past. 8.Yes, I have tried to win money to pay debts.

Asian Hotline Machine gambling Vs Table gambling in Chinese gambling community Research undertaken in Christchurch 2006 Tam (2006)

Asian Hotline –Past research has indicated that Chinese Gamblers preferred play table games, however this trend is changing according to clients data. –The aim of this research project was to identify the gambling participation trends in the Chinese gambling community. –A total of 85 Chinese restaurant owners, staff and members of the Chinese community were interviewed regarding the changing trends of their participation in gambling in Christchurch. Resource: Tam (2006)

Asian Hotline Participant Statistics Out of the 85 gamblers that participated there were 37 females, 48 males. Their age ranging from 22 to 60 years old. 1x from Taiwan, 3x from Singapore, 12x from Malaysia, 16x from Hong Kong and the rest from Mainland China (53). Resource: Tam (2006)

Asian Hotline % of the total participants play Gaming Machines.( 56-Machines only, 22-both) Out of the 56 Machines-only players, more than half are females, 55%. So there is an noticeable change in the use of Table gambling and a higher use of Machine gambling. Resource: Tam (2006)

Asian Hotline This could be seen as Machines are able to provide instant gratification & reward without having to think or interact with others. This change could also indicate a different motivation for attending the Casino or Bars, I.e. the purpose now is not to challenge one’s ability or to play a game, it could be seen as trying to make money faster & quicker. Resource: Tam (2006)

Asian Hotline Gambling outlets in Christchurch Lotto – 44 TAB – 70 NCGM venues – 124 NCGM – 1,896 One casino – EGM- 500

Asian Hotline My Clientele Asian gamblers (Old & new migrants, refugees and international students) Asian significant others Asian inmates Mainstream inmates

Asian Hotline Where they from Self referral Police Corrections, Probation Language Schools Child, Youth & Family Service Casino

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Asian Hotline Thank you!