Chinese Youth and Gambling in New Zealand: Their Views, Experiences, and Social and Cultural Influences

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the gambling views and experiences of New Zealand’s (NZ) Chinese youth. Within the context of NZ, the importance of the Chinese ethnic group had been demonstrated through the high proportion, and the steady increase, of the Chinese population (Statistics New Zealand, 2013a; Statistics New Zealand, 2013b). Gambling, shown by previous studies, disproportionately affected the younger Asian population, including Chinese. However, there was a general lack in the available literature around gambling of Chinese youth, both in NZ and globally. This study explores this largely neglected topic of Chinese youth gambling. The overall aim of the study was to understand the Chinese youth's gambling views and behaviours, and factors influencing them. Specifically, Chinese youth's social and cultural contexts are explored, in relation to their gambling views and behaviours, to better understand factors influencing their gambling. Eleven participants, who self-identified as Chinese, between 20 to 25 years old and living in Auckland, were recruited. The semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, translated (if needed), and analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory approach. The results reveal that all participants gambled, and some have done so frequently in the past. However, none gambled regularly or to the extent that negatively affected their life. The participants' views towards gambling were most likely influenced by their family and friends, and the participants' behaviour influenced by friends and colleagues. Gambling was a topic that was avoided in discussions, most likely due to stigma towards gambling rooted in Chinese values and beliefs. Other salient cultural influences include the normalisation of mahjong, and the idea of maintaining social harmony when gambling with those they knew. This thesis contributes knowledge and awareness of the salience of social and cultural influences, towards Chinese youth's gambling, to the policy and decision making processes, as well as to interventions, treatments and prevention.