Author: Sue Bertossa
Bertossa, Sue, 2025 A phenomenological study of gambling and Vietnamese Australians., Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health
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This thesis explores the phenomenon of gambling within a Vietnamese Australian context, helping to develop an understanding of the ‘world’ inhabited by Vietnamese Australians who have developed a problem with gambling. There is limited published literature pertaining to Vietnamese people and gambling, and it was found that most previous studies recruited limited numbers of people with direct experience of gambling, or the accounts of those who gamble were superficial. Hence, this study endeavoured to capture in depth, firsthand community perspectives towards gambling: from men, women, first and second generations, establishing the local opinion, or the backdrop, to which a Vietnamese Australian who has developed a problem with gambling exists. Utilising the concept of lived world, the author explores experiences of people with direct experience of gambling within this cultural context, applying lived world constructs within a value based context.
Lived space
This study identified that gambling venues, and the family home were significant spaces. Vietnamese Australians view licensed gambling venues as exciting, with the casino emerging as the most popular venue, due to its atmosphere, and its accessibility. When first established the casino became a meeting place for lonely and socially isolated Vietnamese Australians ─ it remains to this day a popular place for Vietnamese Australians to take family visiting from Vietnam, for younger people and international students coming from Vietnam. However, there are perceived risks to frequenting the casino. A person may be ‘sucked into a downward spiral’; there is the danger of losses, amassing debts and exposure to loan sharks, and people who are seen regularly at the casino are viewed as ‘untrustworthy’ by others in the Vietnamese Australian community. In contrast, the family home is a place of sanctuary, with Vietnamese Australians identifying home ownership as a sign that ‘they’ve made it’ in their new country. Home ownership indicates respectability, it signifies a person who is successful and responsible – unfortunately the choice to engage in gambling puts this all important symbol at risk.
Lived time
The study also examined the experience of lived time, focusing on the impact of uncertainty and insecurity typically associated with migration, exploring how this impacts peoples’ sense of time and their wellbeing and renders them vulnerable to developing a problem with gambling. Australia experienced a rapid expansion in the commercial gambling sector in the 1990s, coinciding with the height of exodus of people from Vietnam. Those arriving were leaving behind a country where gambling was mostly forbidden, to arrive in a place where participation in gambling was soaring. Electronic gambling machines became widespread, a casino was established ─ the developments taking place at this point of time affected all of society but had exceptional consequences for Vietnamese Australians who were seeking accessible entertainment and company in earnest.
Lived body
Applying the lived body construct to this study revealed that exposure to traumatic events, coupled with insecurities, rendered some Vietnamese Australians susceptible to using gambling as a form of emotional escape. Vietnamese Australians demonstrate a proclivity to avoid heightened emotions and commonly adopt avoidant coping strategies – it is widely recognised that participation in gambling can lead to behavioural conditioning, whereby someone who gambles on a frequent basis may resort to gambling to ‘numb’ unwanted emotional states. Gambling though can be a very expensive coping strategy; inevitably gambling losses add to the distress, and this in turn, exacerbates the urge to gamble, and so on, consistent with the trajectory so commonly associated with other addictions.
Lived human relations
Australia presented a very different social environment for Vietnamese Australians; people experienced real loneliness: separated from family, no longer living in high density living, feeling unwelcome, and grappling with familiarising themselves with their new surroundings. Gambling venues provided a place of welcome, and importantly, a place to connect with others. The study also found that living in harmony is an all important cultural concept: traditional Vietnamese culture dictates that one should not behave excessively, and that people should behave in a way that does not bring shame on their family. Anyone struggling with gambling would be expected to regain control through their own efforts, and if unable to do so, seek support from within the family. This ensures that the reputation of the family remains intact. Obligation to family can prevent the onset of problem gambling, but once that threshold has been crossed, the associated shame of this transgression serves as a major barrier to people identifying they have a problem and to seek help.
Conclusions
This study calls for a deeper understanding of the role that culture plays in determining problem gambling, using an exploration of the role of gambling within the Vietnamese Australian setting as the paradigm. Given the culturally diverse nature of the Australian population, more needs to be done to deliver culturally informed and nuanced responses to aid in the prevention of problem gambling, to support self-resolution and promote help seeking across a broader cross-section of community groups. Within the context of problem gambling, the needs of a large contingent of Australians is largely being overlooked and unmet ─ the situation is unfair. There is a need to advocate for changes that ensure that every person who develops a problem with a government sanctioned gambling activity has access to care, and the information and the support they need to resolve this issue. Gamblers, regardless of their background, should stand an equal chance to stay safe, to get the information, and the help they need, alike other Australians.
Keywords: Vietnamese, Asian, Gambling, Helpseeking, Cultural Adaptations
Subject: Mental Health Sciences thesis
Thesis type: Doctor of Philosophy
Completed: 2025
School: College of Medicine and Public Health
Supervisor: Kate Fairweather