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Gambling in Culturally Diverse Communities

4 min read

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The information on this website can be translated into a number of languages. Find the right language for you below.

If your language is not listed, you can call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. They can help you by getting information from our website and translating it for you using an interpreter.

 

Are you worried about your gambling and English isn’t your first language?

Gambling affects people from all different cultures. Most people from culturally diverse communities can bet without any trouble. But for some people, gambling can cause problems, like money issues, stress, and arguments with family members.

If you are worried about your gambling, there is lots of support available.

Are you worried about the gambling of a family member or friend who doesn’t speak English as their first language?

Gambling affects people from all different cultures. Most people from culturally diverse communities can bet without any trouble. But for some people, gambling can cause problems, like money issues, stress, and arguments with family members.

If you know someone from a culturally diverse community who is affected by gambling, there are ways you can help them, or get support for yourself.

Are you worried about the gambling of someone who doesn’t speak English as their first language?

Gambling affects people from all different cultures. Most people from culturally diverse communities can bet without any trouble. But for some people, gambling can cause problems, like money issues, stress, and arguments with family members.

If you know someone from a culturally diverse community who is affected by gambling, there are ways you can help them, or get support for yourself.

Is gambling affecting culturally diverse communities?

In Australia, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities are less likely to gamble, but that those who do gamble are more likely to develop issues with their gambling.

There are many potential reasons for this, including:

  • Gambling being part of their culture or how their community socialises
  • Seeing gambling as part of Australian culture
  • Feeling isolated and finding gambling venues welcoming
  • Experiencing trauma, such as war
  • Using gambling as way to cope with stress related to moving to a new country or culture
  • Being an international student away from home
  • Exposure to gambling advertising and easy access to gambling
  • Escaping boredom, poverty or disadvantage.
  • Feeling pressure to make the most of their “new life” in a new country

“As a young teen, 12 years old I started playing cards with my cousins for money on a regular basis, as this was quite a tradition in Chinese households, though it did start getting alarming when we playing every spare bit of time we got, on trains waiting for buses, at home, anywhere and everywhere, as long as we had a deck of cards. It was best explained as “playing” not gambling, so it never felt as though it was that much of an issue.” – Client, Chinese Peer Support Program

Do you want help in a language other than English?

If you’re concerned about your gambling, you might find it useful to talk to a counsellor. There’s no shame in seeking help for gambling-related issues. Many people struggle with gambling at some point in their lives, and seeking support is a courageous and positive step towards a healthier and happier life.

If you need help with gambling and would like to speak to someone who understands your culture, there are services available. These services can provide support, information and referrals in a way that respects your culture and values. You can have a translator if you need one so you can speak in your language.

Counselling is a way for families from different cultures and backgrounds to get support during tough times. Counsellors can help you better understand what’s happening, learn more about yourself, and figure out what options you have. They can also work with you to come up with some strategies to deal with the challenges you’re facing. It can be helpful to talk to someone who doesn’t know you personally and can be objective and non-judgemental. Counselling is completely free, and everything you discuss will be kept private and confidential.

There are many types of services available. These include:

  • Phone support: Counselling over the phone with the Gambling Helpline.
  • Ongoing counselling: Ongoing personal or family counselling with multi-lingual gambling counsellors or specialised services for people from culturally diverse communities.
  • Financial counselling: To help you sort out your finances.

To find out more about all of the different support options that are available, take a look at Seeking Support.

For any of these services, you can call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858. The Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can provide counselling over the phone or help you find a counsellor. They can also organise an interpreter if you need one.

You can also call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. They offer phone and in-person interpreting services in over 150 languages. They can help you connect with the Gambling Helpline. When calling from a landline, the cost is the same as making a local call, but there may be additional charges if you use a mobile phone.

In addition to seeking help from counselling services, some people choose to ban themselves from gambling venues or online sites to help them regain control over their gambling. See the section on Self-Exclusion for more information.

Do you want more help?

To find out more about how to get help with your gambling, you can start an online chat with us or call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 – free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These services are available to support anyone affected by gambling harm, including family members or friends.

Does your family member or friend wants help in a language other than English?

If you think that a family member or friend is affected by gambling, there are ways you can help them.

You could encourage them to talk to a counsellor about their concerns. You can reassure them that there’s no shame in seeking help for gambling-related issues. Many people struggle with gambling at some point in their lives, and seeking support is a courageous and positive step towards a healthier and happier life.

If your family member or friend would like to speak to someone who understands their culture, there are services available. These services can provide support, information and referrals in a way that respects their culture and values. They can have a translator if they need one so they can speak in their language.

If you’re trying to support someone who is struggling with their gambling, counselling can be a helpful tool for both of you. It’s a way for families from different cultures and backgrounds to get support during tough times. Counsellors can help you better understand what’s happening, learn more about yourself, and figure out what options you have. They can also work with you to come up with some strategies to deal with the challenges you’re facing. It can be helpful to talk to someone who doesn’t know you personally and can be objective and non-judgemental. Counselling is completely free, and everything you discuss will be kept private and confidential.

There are many types of services available. These include:

  • Phone support: Counselling over the phone with the Gambling Helpline.
  • Ongoing counselling: Personal or family counselling with multi-lingual gambling counsellors or specialised services for people from culturally diverse communities.
  • Financial counselling: To help them sort out their finances.
  • Community engagement: Trained staff can visit community events or meetings to talk generally about gambling harm and how to seek support.

To find out more about the different support options that are available, take a look at Seeking Support.

For any of these services, you or your family member or friend can call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858. The Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can provide counselling over the phone or help you find a counsellor. They can also organise an interpreter if you need one.

You or your family member or friend can also call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. They offer phone and in-person interpreting services in over 150 languages. They can help you connect with the Gambling Helpline. When calling from a landline, the cost is the same as making a local call, but there may be additional charges if you use a mobile phone.

In addition to seeking help from counselling services, some people choose to ban themselves from gambling venues or online sites to help them regain control over their gambling. See the section on Self-Exclusion for more information.

Do you want more help?

To find out more about how to help your family member or friend, you or your family member or friend can start an online chat with us or call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 – free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

These services are available to support anyone affected by gambling harm, including family members or friends like you. It’s not only the person who gambles that can be affected, but the people close to them too. It’s important to take care of yourself when you’re supporting someone else. Check out the family and friends section in our peer support community to connect with people who understand.

Do you know someone who wants help in a language other than English?

If you know someone from a culturally diverse community who is affected by gambling, there are ways you can help them.

You could encourage them to talk to a counsellor about their concerns. You can reassure them that there’s no shame in seeking help for gambling-related issues. Many people struggle with gambling at some point in their lives, and seeking support is a courageous and positive step towards a healthier and happier life.

If the person you’re concerned about would like to speak to someone who understands their culture, there are services available. These services can provide support, information and referrals in a way that respects their culture and values. They can have a translator if they need one so they can speak in their language.

Counselling is a way for families from different cultures and backgrounds to get support during tough times. Counsellors can help the person you’re concerned about to better understand what’s happening, learn more about themselves, and figure out what options they have. They can also work with them to come up with some strategies to deal with the challenges they’re facing. You can reassure the person you’re working with that it can be helpful to talk to someone who doesn’t know them personally and can be objective and non-judgemental. Counselling is completely free, and everything they discuss will be kept private and confidential.

There are many types of services available. These include:

  • Phone support: Counselling over the phone with the Gambling Helpline.
  • Ongoing counselling: Personal or family counselling with multi-lingual gambling counsellors or specialised services for people from culturally diverse communities.
  • Financial counselling: To help them sort out their finances.
  • Community engagement: Trained staff can visit community events or meetings to talk generally about gambling harm and how to seek support.

To find out more about the different support options that are available, take a look at Seeking Support.

For any of these services, you or the person you’re working with can call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858. The Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can provide counselling over the phone or help you find a counsellor. They can also organise an interpreter if one is needed.

People for whom English is not their first language can also call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. They offer phone and in-person interpreting services in over 150 languages. They can help them connect with the Gambling Helpline. When calling from a landline, the cost is the same as making a local call, but there may be additional charges if they use a mobile phone.

In addition to seeking help from counselling services, some people choose to ban themselves from gambling venues or online sites to help them regain control over their gambling. See the section on Self-Exclusion for more information.

Do you want more help?

To learn found out more about how to help people from culturally diverse communities, you or the person you’re working with can start an online chat with us or call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 – free, confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

These services are available to support anyone affected by gambling harm, including family members, friends, and professionals like you. It can be hard for professionals to support people with gambling issues. To learn more about how you can help, go to our section on How Professionals Can Help.

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