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Gambling Among Indigenous Men and Problem Gambling Risk Factors: An Australian Study

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Abstract

This paper aims to analyse the gambling activities and problem gambling risk factors for Indigenous Australian men, a topic which has previously drawn very little research attention. Using quantitative methods, we obtained a convenience sample of 1,259 women and men at Indigenous festivals, online and in several communities. This paper reports only on the responses of all 489 men in this sample. Risk factors significantly associated with problem gambling were being separated, divorced or widowed, working part-time, early gambling onset, using alcohol and/or drugs while gambling and spending high amounts of money on a favourite gambling form. Motivations significantly associated with risks of problem gambling were gambling to relax, because most family members and friends also gamble and self-reported addiction to gambling. However men who gamble to socialise with family and friends were significantly less likely to be problem gamblers. Risk factor identification may facilitate the development of effective preventative measures and risk management plans for Indigenous men.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the support of Indigenous communities and organisations in this research and funding provided by an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Gambling Education and Research, School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia

    Nerilee Hing, Helen Breen, Ashley Gordon & Alex Russell

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  1. Nerilee Hing
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  2. Helen Breen
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  3. Ashley Gordon
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  4. Alex Russell
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Correspondence to Nerilee Hing.

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Hing, N., Breen, H., Gordon, A. et al. Gambling Among Indigenous Men and Problem Gambling Risk Factors: An Australian Study. Int J Ment Health Addiction 12, 491–508 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-014-9480-7

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