Examination of Chinese Gambling Problems through a Socio-Historical-Cultural Perspective

Samson Tse,Alex C.H Yu,Fiona Rossen,Chong-Wen Wang

doi:10.1100/tsw.2010.167

Samson Tse, Alex C.H Yu + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2010.167

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Abstract

The aim of this review is to highlight emerging trends about Chinese people and gambling addiction over the last 15 years, and to provide a discourse on the potential link between gambling and Chinese culture and history. The authors reported on the phenomenon of gambling among Chinese people using relevant research studies and reports and traditional Chinese literature. Chinese people have elevated levels of gambling addiction compared to their Western counterparts. These elevated rates are coupled with the rapid expansion of gambling venues within the Pan-Pacific region. While there is an accumulated body of research on Chinese and gambling, a systematic cultural analysis of Chinese gambling is still under development. We undertook a brief comparison between two ancient civilizations, China and Rome, in order to gain better understanding about gambling among Chinese people. To effectively deal with gambling addictions among Chinese people, it is imperative to develop culturally responsive interventions.

Highlights

For the last 10–15 years, there has been a surging interest in studies of gambling behaviors among different ethnic groups, including Asian refugees and Hispanics in the U.S.[1,2,3]; Chinese in Canada[4,5,6,7]; Maori and Chinese in New Zealand[8,9,10]; and Arabic, Chinese, Greek, and Vietnamese in Australia[11,12,13,14]
A population-based study in Hong Kong found that up to 6% of the respondents met the diagnostic classification of probable problem and pathological gambling[19], whereas nationwide surveys in the U.S.[20] and New Zealand[21] invariably show lower rates of problem gambling for primarily Western participants
The influences on Chinese gambling are variable, but there is a possibility that socio-historical and cultural factors may have a considerable impact on the phenomenon

Summary

INTRODUCTION

For the last 10–15 years, there has been a surging interest in studies of gambling behaviors among different ethnic groups, including Asian refugees and Hispanics in the U.S.[1,2,3]; Chinese in Canada[4,5,6,7]; Maori (indigenous people of New Zealand) and Chinese in New Zealand[8,9,10]; and Arabic, Chinese, Greek, and Vietnamese in Australia[11,12,13,14]. A population-based study in Hong Kong found that up to 6% of the respondents met the diagnostic classification of probable problem and pathological gambling[19], whereas nationwide surveys in the U.S.[20] and New Zealand[21] invariably show lower rates of problem gambling for primarily Western participants (see Table 1)

Diagnostic Interview Schedule South Oaks Gambling Screen

CURRENT GAMBLING PRACTICES ACROSS CHINA

Findings

CONCLUSION