Game Over & Out of Luck: Asian Americans and Problem Gambling

Problem gambling disproportionately affects many Asian American communities, yet research and culturally responsive services remain limited. Explore how culture, immigration, and targeted marketing influence gambling, and why barriers to care persist. Learn clinical insights from the Chinese Community Problem Gambling Project and its 35+ years of community-based work.

Price: Free

Credit

1 CE

Prerequisite

None

Class Instructor

Class Description

Although research is scarce, existing literature on problem gambling indicates this issue is particularly prevalent within many Asian American communities. Factors like cultural acceptance, the immigration experience, and target marketing contribute to the prevalence of gambling among Asian Americans. Further, cultural and structural factors also create barriers and challenges for many Asian American problem gamblers to seek help, often leaving families to deal with the issues in isolation and shameful silence. Existing problem gambling treatment infrastructure often lacks the linguistic and cultural sensitivity to adequately reach this population. This workshop will share information and clinical wisdom from the Chinese Community Problem Gambling project and its 35+ year history of serving Chinese and Asian problem gamblers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify at least 2 ways that culture and the immigration experience may shape Asian Americans’ experience of gambling and problem gambling
  • List at least 2 factors that increase Asian Americans' vulnerability to gambling and problem gambling
  • Describe at least 2 culturally appropriate strategies to address problem gambling among Asian Americans

Educational Goals

  • Understanding how gambling behaviors might manifest through a cultural lens
  • Recognize interpersonal, cultural, environmental, and structural factors that contribute to problematic gambling behaviors
  • Learn about culturally salient approaches to problem gambling assessment, interventions, and treatment

Outline

  • Introduction & History of the Chinese Community Problem Gambling Project: 5 mins
  • Overview of Asian Americans & Gambling: 5 mins
  • DSM-5 Criteria & Asian American Case Vignette - Paulina & Debrief: 15 mins
  • Asian Americans & Problem Gambling: 10 mins
  • What Can I Do? Cultural Considerations: 20 mins
  • Resources: 5 mins

Topics: Gambler, At-Risk Populations, Community Impact, Forms of Gambling

Class Content