Women and the new gambling culture in Australia

This report is based on two empirical studies on women within the 'new gambling culture' in Australia. One group is representing a range of cultural diversity with non-English speaking backgrounds; the informants are community spokespersons and counsellors for the women. Personal notions of karma and predestination, as well as structural changes in the society such as industrial downsizing affect the gambling behaviour of some cultural groups, possibly encouraging the development of gambling addiction. The second Dart of the study comprises the narratives of gambling experiences by ten self-selected problem gamblers. Many components of their self-descriptions showed common accounts: loss and attempted regain of identity, escape from domestic abuse including rape; from social isolation, loneliness and boredom. Sadly, however, the flight to freedom produced a paradox. Becoming addicted and in serious financial debt seriously restricted the women's autonomy. The conclusion is that more research exposure is needed for individuals to be able to recognise their behaviour in context and gain or regain their sense of autonomy.