God, family and money: Pacific people and gambling in New Zealand

Abstract

Pacific people living in New Zealand are less likely to participate in gambling activities than the general population but those who do gamble are at greater risk of being problem gamblers. This difference remains when socio-economic variables are controlled for. To date, little research has investigated the reasons underlying these differences. The present exploratory study investigated Pacific people's thoughts about gambling through a series of focus groups involving 97 participants, including Pacific gamblers, non-gamblers, gambling venue workers, gambling treatment providers and church leaders. The results suggest that some Pacific people draw a distinction between ‘community’ and ‘commercial’ types of gambling, that gambling is understood by some to be an easy way in which to make money, and also that familial and church obligations can motivate gambling behaviour. These findings inform possible unique features of gambling in Pacific cultures in New Zealand and internationally. Moreover, together with the research approach the results inform further research on Pacific peoples' relationship with gambling, as well as those of other cultural groups.

Keywords::

• gambling
• Pacific people
• family
• religion
• community
• commercial

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants for generously giving their time to share their experiences, the New Zealand Ministry of Health for funding this project, and Bridget Fa'amatuainu for collecting and transcribing the data.

Declaration of interests

Funding sources: This research was funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Health [contract no: 467589]; [contract no: 333736]; [contract no: 333700]; and [contract no: 333701]. The funder had no influence on the research design/conduct and there are no constraints on publishing the results.

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Poutasi W. B. Urale

Poutasi W. B. Urale, BA, is a graduate in psychology from Auckland University of Technology. He intends to continue his education in psychology at a postgraduate level.

Maria Bellringer

Maria Bellringer, PhD, is a senior research fellow and associate director of the Gambling and Addictions Research Centre (GARC) at Auckland University of Technology.

Jason Landon

Jason Landon, PhD, is a senior lecturer in psychology in Auckland University of Technology's Department of Psychology and the GARC.

Max Abbott

Max Abbott, PhD, is pro-vice-chancellor (North Shore Campus) and dean, Faculty of Health & Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology. He is professor of Psychology and Public Health; director, National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research; and director of the GARC at AUT University. He is a clinical psychologist with over 150 publications in the fields of mental and public health.