Gambling support programs ignore cultural needs

The Australian National University's Centre for Gambling Research (CGR) says support programs need to be expanded for problem gamblers to take into account the needs of different cultural groups.

The CGR has released a new report showing problem gamblers are not turning to formal counselling services, and those that do are not finding the support they require.

The report found this was often the case with people from Chinese and Arabic backgrounds.

CGR director Jan McMillen says the ACT Government and local community groups need to discuss what support programs will work for different cultural groups.

“People are experiencing the problems in a quite wide range of ways and they're looking for different solutions," she said.

"People from cultural groups like the Chinese, the Arabic communities don't welcome counselling at all, and we really have to understand the nature of the problem before we develop services and support to assist them."

ACT Gaming Minister, Ted Quinlan, says the Government will act on the report's recommendations.

"We've commissioned this study so that we can find the weaknesses, pick up on any recommendations that are there and work to improve the processes that we have in place," he said.

Source: ABC Regional Online

Published Date: Mar 01, 2005

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