Gambling Information Session – Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District

The majority of Shepparton’s ethnic – refugee – asylum seeker communities think that gambling is a problem. People want a change. Communities are not openly discussing gambling harm. Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District – in partnership with Primary Care Connect, will hold a Gambling Risks Information Session at the Masonic Lodge, Welsford St, Shepparton on Tuesday 30 August at 5:30pm.

Gambling harm and Gambling Risks Information seeks to

Educate and build community awareness about the risks of gambling harm, particularly the pokies
Explore and address stigma and shame in a culturally sensitive manner
Develop public health responses focusing on communities living in low socio-economic areas with high gambling loss
Develop and test tailored in language prevention messages to minimise gambling harm

This information session is designed for participants to learn how to identify signs of gambling harm, and where to find help, support and resources.

Social and Economic Effects of Gambling Risk

Research and previous workshops have identified the following social and economic effects of problem gambling on ethnic or multicultural communities

Financial effects

Economic hardship and financial burdens for problem gamblers and their families. Especially difficult for women and children.
Financial distress is compounded by the socio-economic disadvantage of CALD persons.
Reductions of funds within the family unit, as well as within the community as gambling losses are corporatised instead of returning into the local community.
In extreme cases problem gambling may lead to unemployment and homelessness.

Psychological effects

Problem gambling may cause depression, stress, desperation, relationship breakdown and general psychological distress.
These conditions may impact the gambler as well those close to them and the wider community in general.
Problem gambling is highly stigmatised. The large amount of stigma and shame placed on problem gamblers may further exacerbate their problem and the negative effects.
In extreme cases, problem gambling may lead to suicide.

Domestic/family effects

Underreporting of family violence and elder abuse.
Negative financial and psychological effects may exacerbate tensions in the home and disrupt the family unit. May have adverse effect on personal friendships also.
Suffering of children at home may lead to problems at school and problems with further development.
As gambling is seen as a form of social interaction for many multicultural communities, problem gambling may develop in several generations of the same family.

Effects on society/community

The increasing availability of ECG/pokie machines presents a legalised gateway to problem gambling.
There is a lack of culturally specific support services and alternative community activities to gambling.
Cultural acceptance/normalisation of (problem) gambling within Asian cultures.
Negative and stigmatising attitudes towards counselling or seeking help with problem gambling. People are more concerned with ‘saving face’ than with helping problem gamblers.

Gambling Information Session

	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District acknowledges the Yorta Yorta People of the land which comprises the Goulburn Valley. We pay respect to tribal Elders, past, present and emerging and we celebrate their continuing culture and acknowledge the memory of their ancestors.
	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District is a peak body whose mission is to promote and represent the social, cultural and economic well-being of ethnic communities in the Goulburn Valley Region through the provision of quality and innovative settlement, refugee support, community development, and information and advocacy services.