Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress 2023 EHA Congress 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

A round-up of the ONWARDS phase 3 clinical trials evaluating the novel weekly insulin icodec in people with diabetes.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 1/2013

Open Access 01-02-2013

Aboriginal Gambling and Problem Gambling: A Review

Authors: Helen Breen, Sally Gainsbury

Published in: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction | Issue 1/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

The prevention of gambling-related problems amongst Aboriginal communities has been neglected by most public health strategies which concentrate on mainstream populations. Research indicates that rates of problem gambling are higher for Aboriginal groups than the general population. Specific cultural, familial, and social patterns influence gambling by Aboriginal groups, which are individually different, making it difficult to implement a cohesive strategy to address gambling-related harms. Because of this complexity, a thorough literature review is necessary to identify gaps in policy and research. This paper uses a public health framework to consider multi-dimensional influences (personal, environmental, economic, cultural and social) that affect gambling uptake. Such analysis is also important for identifying risk factors which facilitate the development and maintenance of problem gambling and potentially for underpinning protection, prevention and treatment programs. It is advised that strategies be developed in consultation with Aboriginal peoples to guide public health policy and research to minimise any gambling-related harms.
Literature
Abbott, M., & Volberg, R. (2000). Taking the pulse on gambling and problem gambling in New Zealand: phase one of the 1999 National Prevalence Survey. Report number three of the New Zealand gaming survey. Wellington: Department of Internal Affairs.
Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW (AHMRC). (2007). Pressing problems, gambling issues and responses for NSW Aboriginal communities. Sydney: Author.
Alegría, A., Petry, N., Hasin, D., Liu, S.-M., Grant, B., & Blanco, C. (2009). Disordered gambling among racial and ethnic groups in the US: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on alcohol and related conditions. CNS Spectrums, 14(3), 132–142.PubMed
Altman, J. (1985). Gambling as a mode of redistributing and accumulating cash among Aborigines: a case study from Arnhem Land. In G. Caldwell, B. Haig, D. Sylvan, & L. Sylvan (Eds.), Gambling in Australia (pp. 50–67). Sydney: Croom Helm.
American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). (2011). Australian demographic statistics, June quarter 2011, Cat. no. 3101.0. Canberra: Author.
Australian Institute for Gambling Research and Labour and Industry Research Unit (AIGR/LIRU). (1996). Long term study into the impact of gaming machines in Queensland: An issues paper. The economic and social impact of gaming machines on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland. Brisbane: QLD Department of Families, Youth and Community Care.
Belanger, Y. (2006). Gambling with the future: The evolution of Aboriginal Gaming in Canada. Saskatoon: Purich Pubishing Ltd.
Belanger, Y. (2010). First Nations gaming as a self-government imperative: ensuring the health of First Nations problem gamblers. International Journal of Canadian Studies, 41(1), 13–36.CrossRef
Belanger, Y. (2011). Introduction. In Y. Belanger (Ed.), First Nations gambling in Canada: Current trends and issues (pp. 2–7). Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.
Bellringer, M., Perese, L., Abbott, M., & Williams, M. (2006). Gambling among Pacific Mothers Living in New Zealand. International Gambling Studies, 6(2), 217–235.CrossRef
Bertossa, S., Miller, P., Chong, A., & Harvey, P. (2010). Gambling in a remote Aboriginal setting—the good, the bad and the ugly. Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, 34(4), 10–12.
Binde, P. (2005). Gambling across cultures: Mapping worldwide occurrence and learning from ethnographic comparison. International Gambling Studies, 5(1), 1–27.CrossRef
Blaszczynski, A., & Nower, L. (2002). A pathways model of problem and pathological gambling. Addiction, 97(5), 487–499.PubMedCrossRef
Brady, M. (2004). Regulating social problems: The pokies, the productivity commission and an aboriginal community, discussion paper No. 269/2004. Canberra: Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research.
Breen, H. (2008). Visitors to Northern Australia: debating the history of indigenous gambling. International Gambling Studies, 8(2), 137–150.CrossRef
Breen, H. (2012a). Risk and protective factors associated with gambling products and services: Indigenous gamblers in north Queensland. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 10(1), 24–38. doi:10.​1007/​s11469-010-9296-z.CrossRef
Breen, H. (2012b). Risk and protective factors associated with gambling consequences for Indigenous Australians in north Queensland. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 10(2), 258–272. doi:10.​1007/​s11469-011-9315-8.CrossRef
Breen, H., Hing, N., & Gordon, A. (2011). Indigenous gambling motivations, behaviour and consequences in Northern New South Wales, Australia. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 9(6), 723–739. doi:10.​1007/​s11469-010-9293-2.CrossRef
Clarke, D., Tse, S., Abbott, M., Townsend, S., Kingi, P., & Manaia, W. (2007). Reasons for starting and continuing gambling in a mixed ethnic community sample of pathological and non-problem gamblers. International Gambling Studies, 7(3), 299–313.CrossRef
Clay, T. (2009). Measuring the impact of reservation gambling revenues on Native American educational achievement. Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting, and Financial Management, 21(1), 58–82.
Conner, T., & Taggart, W. (2009). The impact of gaming on the Indian Nations in New Mexico. Social Science Quarterly, 90(1), 50–70.CrossRef
Costello, E., Compton, S., Keeler, G., & Angold, A. (2003). Relationships between poverty and psychopathology: a natural experiment. Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(15), 2023–2029.PubMedCrossRef
Cozzetto, D., & Larocque, B. (1996). Compulsive gambling in the Indian community: a North Dakota case study. American Aboriginal Culture and Research Journal, 20(1), 73–86.
Culin, S. (1907). Games of the North American Indians. New York: Dover.
Currie, C. (2007). The placement of casinos in Alberta’s Aboriginal communities: An interview with Cheryl Currie. Gambling research reveals. Alberta Gaming Research Institute 7(1), 1–4.
Currie, C. (2011). How is problem gambling impacting urban Aboriginal Peoples? Banff: Alberta Gaming Research Institute Conference.
Currie, C., Wild, T., & McKennitt, D. (2008). Exploring protective factors for addictive behavior among urban Aboriginal Canadians. Poster presentation for the CIHR-IAPH Global Indigenous Health Research Symposium, Victoria, BC.
Delfabbro, P., Lahn, J., & Grabosky, P. (2005). Adolescent gambling: A report on recent ACT Research. Canberra: ACT Gambling and Racing Commission.
Derevensky, J., & Gupta, R. (2004). Gambling problems in youth. The theoretical and applied perspectives. New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Dickerson, M., Allcock, C., Blaszczynski, A., Nicholls, B., Williams, J., & Maddern, R. (1996). A preliminary exploration of the positive and negative impacts of gambling and wagering on Aboriginal people in NSW. Sydney: Australian Institute of Gambling Research.
Dion, J., Collin-Vézina, D., De La Sablonnière, M., Philippe-Labbé, M., & Giffard, T. (2010). An exploration of the connection between child sexual abuse and gambling in Aboriginal communities. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8, 174–189.CrossRef
Dyall, L. (2004). Gambling: a social hazard. Social Policy Journal of New Zealand, 21, 22–40.
Dyall, L. (2007). Gambling, social disorganisation and deprivation. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 5, 320–330.CrossRef
Dyall, L. (2010). Gambling: a poison chalice for indigenous peoples. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8, 205–213.CrossRef
Dyall, L., & Hand, J. (2003). Māori and gambling: why a comprehensive Māori Public Health response is required in New Zealand. International Journal of Mental Health & Addiction, 1(1). published online September 15, 2003.
Dyall, L., Tse, S., & Kingi, A. (2009). Cultural icons and marketing of gambling. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 7, 84–96.CrossRef
Edmonds, P. (2010). Urbanizing frontiers: indigenous peoples and settlers in 19th-century pacific rim cities. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.
Elia, C., & Jacobs, D. (1993). The incidence of pathological gambling among Native Americans treated for alcohol dependence. International Journal of the Addictions, 28(7), 659–666.PubMed
Environics Institute. (2010). Urban Aboriginal peoples study. Toronto: Environics Institute.
Ferris, J., & Wynne, H. (2001). The Canadian problem gambling index: Final report. Ottawa: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.
First Nations of Québec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC). (2006). First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey 2002. Report on First Nations living in the communities. Québec: Author.
Gabriel, K. (1996). Gambler way: Indian gaming in mythology, history, and archaeology in North America. Boulder: Johnson Books.
Goodale, J. (1987). Gambling is hard work: card playing in Tiwi society. Oceania, 58(1), 6–21.
Hewitt, D. (1994). The spirit of Bingoland: A study of problem gambling among Alberta Native people. Edmonton: Nechi Training, Research and Health Promotion Institute, AADDAC.
Hewitt, D., & Augur, D. (1995). Firewatch on First Nations adolescent gambling. Edmonton: Nechi Training, Research and Health Promotions Institute, AADDAC.
Hing, N., Breen, H., & Weeks, P. (2002). Club management in Australia, administration, operations and gaming (2nd ed.). Sydney: Pearson Education.
Hoy, W., Norman, R., Hayhurst, B., & Pugsley, D. (1997). A health profile of adults in a Northern Territory Aboriginal community, with an emphasis on preventable morbidities. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 21(2), 1–21.CrossRef
Hunter, E. (1993). Aboriginal health and history, power and prejudice in remote Australia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.CrossRef
Hunter, E., & Spargo, R. (1988). What’s the big deal? Aboriginal gambling in the Kimberley region. The Medical Journal of Australia, 149, 668–672.PubMed
Jacobs, D. (1986). A general theory of addictions: a new theoretical model. Journal of Gambling Studies, 2, 15–31.CrossRef
Joukhador, J., MacCallum, F., & Blaszczynski, A. (2003). Differences in cognitive distortions between problem and social gamblers. Psychological Reports, 92(3, Pt. 2), 1203–1214.PubMed
Joukhador, J., Blaszczynski, A., & MacCallum, F. (2004). Superstitious beliefs in gambling among problem and non-problem gamblers: preliminary data. Journal of Gambling Studies, 20(2), 171–180.PubMedCrossRef
Korn, D., & Shaffer, H. (1999). Gambling and the health of the public: adopting a public health perspective. Journal of Gambling Studies, 15(4), 289–365.PubMedCrossRef
Lee, K. (2000). Urban poverty in Canada: A statistical profile. Ottawa: Canadian Council on Social Development.
Martin, D. (1993). Autonomy and relatedness: An ethnography of Wik people of Aurukun, Western Cape York Peninsula. Unpublished PhD thesis. Canberra: Australian National University.
Martin, D. (2008). Aboriginal sorcery and healing, and the alchemy of Aboriginal policy making’. Journal of the Anthropological Society of South Australia, 33, 75–128.
McDonald, H., & Wombo, B. (2006). Indigenous gambling scoping study—Draft report. Darwin: School for Social and Policy Research, Charles Darwin University.
McGowan, V., & Nixon, G. (2004). Blackfoot traditional knowledge in resolution of problem gambling: getting gambled and seeking wholeness. Canadian Journal of Native Studies, 24(1), 7–35.
McGowan, V., Frank, L., Nixon, G., & Grimshaw, M. (2001). Sacred and secular play in gambling among Blackfoot peoples of Southwest Alberta. In A. Blaszczynski (ed.), Proceedings of the 11th. National Association of Gambling Studies Conference. Sydney, pp 241–255.
McMillen, J., & Donnelly, K. (2008). Gambling in Australian indigenous communities: the state of play. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 43(3), 397–426.
McMillen, J., Marshall, D., Ahmed, E., & Wenzel, M. (2004). 2003 Victorian longitudinal community attitudes survey. Melbourne: Victorian Gambling Panel.
Ministry of Health. (2009). A focus on problem gambling: Results of the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
Ministry of Health. (2010). Preventing and minimising gambling harm: Six year strategic plan 2010/11-2015/16. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
Momper, S. (2010). Implications of American Indian gambling for social work research and practice. Social Work, 55(2), 139–146.PubMedCrossRef
Morrison, L. (1999). The good and the bad times: Māori women’s experiences of gambling in Rotorua. Unpublished Master’s thesis. Hamilton, New Zealand: University of Waikato.
National Aboriginal Health Strategy Working Group. (1989). A national Aboriginal health strategy. Canberra: Department of Aboriginal Affairs.
Neal, P., Delfabbro, P., & O’Neil, M. (2005). Problem gambling and harm: Towards a national definition. Melbourne: Gambling Research Australia.
Oakes, J., Currie, C., & Courtney, D. (2004). Gambling and problem gambling in First Nations communities. Ontario: Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre.
Papineau, E. (2009). Gambling problems in First Nations and Inuit Communities of Québec: A brief status report. Québec: Institut national de santé publique du Québec.
Parke, J., & Griffiths, M. (2007). The role of structural characteristics in gambling. In G. Smith, D. Hodgins, & R. Williams (Eds.), Research and measurement issues in gambling studies (pp. 217–249). Burlington: Academic.
Peacock, R., Day, P., & Peacock, T. (1999). Adolescent gambling on a Great Lakes Indian Reservation. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 2(1), 5–17.CrossRef
Penfold, A., Hatcher, S., Sullivan, S., & Collins, N. (2006). Gambling Problems and attempted suicide: Part11—alcohol abuse increases suicide risk. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 4, 273–279.CrossRef
Perese, L., Bellringer, M., & Abbott, M. (2005). Literature review to inform social marketing and approaches, and behaviour change indicators, to prevent and minimise gambling harm. Wellington: Health Sponsorship Council.
Petry, N., Stintson, F., & Grant, B. (2005). Comorbidity of DSM-IV pathological gambling and psychiatric disorders: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 66, 564–574.PubMedCrossRef
Productivity Commission (2010). Gambling. Canberra: Report no. 50.
Queensland Department of Corrective Services. (2006). Houses of cards, problem gambling, indigenous communities and corrections. Brisbane: Queensland Government.
Raylu, N., & Oei, T. (2004). Role of culture in gambling and problem gambling. Clinical Psychological Review, 23(8), 1087–1114.CrossRef
Salter, M. (1979). Games, goods, and gods: an analysis of Iroquoian gambling. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences, 4, 160–164.
Schissel, B. (2001). Betting against youth: the effects of socio-economic marginality on gambling among young people. Youth and Society, 32(4), 473–491.CrossRef
Schluter, P., Bellringer, M., & Abbott, M. (2007). Maternal gambling associated with families’ food, shelter, and safety needs: findings from the Pacific Island families study. Journal of Gambling Issues, 19, 87–90.CrossRef
Smith, G., Currie, C., & Battle, J. (2011). Exploring gambling impacts in two Alberta Cree communities: A participatory action study. In Y. Belanger (Ed.), First Nations gambling in Canada: Current trends and issues (pp. 118–139). Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.
Steane, P., McMillen, J., & Togni, S. (1998). Researching gambling with Aboriginal people. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 33(3), 303–315.
Stevens, M., & Young, M. (2009a). Betting on the evidence: Reported gambling problems among the Indigenous population of the Northern Territory. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 33(6), 556–565.PubMedCrossRef
Stevens, M., & Young, M. (2009b). Independent correlates of reported gambling problems amongst Indigenous Australians. Social Indicators Research, 98(1), 147–166.CrossRef
Stinchfield, R., Cassuto, N., Winters, K., & Latimer, W. (1997). Prevalence of gambling among Minnesota public school students in 1992 and 1995. Journal of Gambling Studies, 13(1), 25–48.PubMedCrossRef
Thomas, S., & Jackson, A. (2004). Influences on gambling behaviours and outcomes: a model for the design of effective interventions. Gambling Research, 16(2), 40–51.
Tonmyr, L., & Blackstock, C. (2010). Commentary: indigenous health special issue. International Journal of Mental Health, 8, 135–144.
Tse, S., Dyall, L., Clarke, D., Abbott, M., Townsend, S., & Kingi, P. (2012). Why people gamble: a qualitative study of four New Zealand ethnic groups. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. doi:10.​1007/​s11469-012-9380-7.
United Nations. (2009). State of the world’s indigenous peoples. ST/ESA/328. Department of Economic and Social Affairs. New York: United Nations.
Volberg, R., & Abbott, M. (1997). Gambling and problem gambling among Indigenous peoples. Substance Use & Misuse, 32(11), 1525–1538.CrossRef
Wardman, D., el-Guebaly, N., & Hodgins, D. (2001). Problem and pathological gambling in North American Aboriginal populations: a review of the empirical literature. Journal of Gambling Studies, 17(2), 81–100.PubMedCrossRef
Wātene, N., Thompson, K., Barnett, A., Balzer, M., & Turinui, M. (2007). The impacts of gambling for Māori Communities: A national Māori collaborative approach. Auckland: Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa Trust Inc Pou Tuia Rangahau.
Westermeyer, J., Canive, J., Garrard, J., Thuras, P., & Thompson, J. (2005). Lifetime prevalence of pathological gambling among American Indian and Hispanic American Veterans. American Journal of Public Health, 95, 860–866.PubMedCrossRef
Westermeyer, J., Canive, J., Crosby, R., & Thompson, J. (2006). Remission from Pathological Gambling among Hispanics and Native Americans. Community Mental Health Journal, 42(6), 537–553.PubMedCrossRef
Westermeyer, J., Canive, J., Thuras, P., Thompson, J., Kim, S., Crosby, R., & Garrard, J. (2008). Mental health of non-gamblers versus “Normal” gamblers among American Indian Veterans: a community survey. Journal of Gambling Studies, 24, 193–205.PubMedCrossRef
Williams, R., & Simpson, R. (2008). Promising practices in the prevention of problem gambling. Ontario: Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre.
Williams, R., Wynne, H., Nixon, G., & Frank, L. (2005). Using participatory action research to study Canadian Aboriginal gambling. Presentation at the 6th. European Conference on Gambling Studies and Policy Issues. Malmo, Sweden.
Williams, R., Stevens, R., & Nixon, G. (2011). Gambling and problem gambling in North American Aboriginal People. In Y. Belanger (Ed.), First Nations gambling in Canada: Current trends and issues (pp. 166–194). Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.
Wood, R., & Williams, R. (2009). Internet gambling: Prevalence, patterns, problems, and policy options. Ontario: Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre.
Wynne Resources Ltd. (1996). Adolescent gambling and problem gambling in Alberta: Summary Report. Edmonton: Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission.
Wynne, H., & McCready, J. (2005). Examining gambling and problem gambling in Ontario Aboriginal communities. Ontario: Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre.
Yanicki, S., Gregory, D., & Lee, B. (2011). Gambling behaviours among Aboriginal peoples: Indigenous and critical socio-ecological perspectives. In Y. Belanger (Ed.), First Nations gambling in Canada: Current trends and issues (pp. 195–226). Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.
Young, M., Barnes, T., Stevens, M., Paterson, M., & Morris, M. (2007). The changing landscape of Indigenous gambling in Northern Australia: Current knowledge and future directions. International Gambling Studies, 7(3), 327–343.CrossRef
Zitzow, D. (1996a). Comparative study of problematic gambling behaviors between American Indian and non-Indian adolescents within and near a northern plains reservation. American Indian and Alaskan Native Mental Health Research, 7, 14–26.CrossRef
Zitzow, D. (1996b). Comparative study of problematic gambling behaviors between American Indian and non-Indian adults in a northern plains reservation. American Indian Alaskan and Native Mental Health Research, 7, 27–41.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Aboriginal Gambling and Problem Gambling: A Review
Authors
Helen Breen
Sally Gainsbury
Publication date
01-02-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 1557-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1882
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-012-9400-7

Other articles of this Issue 1/2013

International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 1/2013 Go to the issue

OriginalPaper

Genderedness of Bar Drinking Culture and Alcohol-Related Harms: A Multi-Country Study

OriginalPaper

Linking Gambling and Trauma: A Phenomenological Hermeneutic Case Study Using Almaas’ Transformation of Narcissism Approach

OriginalPaper

With Due Consideration: Australian Human Service Practitioners’ Understandings of Confidentiality and Disclosure Obligations in Regard to Cases Concerning Gambling-Related Theft

OriginalPaper

Relations of Personality to Substance Use Problems and Mental Health Disorder Symptoms in Two Clinical Samples of Adolescents

OriginalPaper

Adolescent Gambling: A Narrative Review of Behavior and Its Predictors

OriginalPaper

Drug Addiction Stigma in the Context of Methadone Maintenance Therapy: An Investigation into Understudied Sources of Stigma