Third generation Chinese Australian Paul Fung was introduced to gambling at the age of seven.
“There would be an adult table playing Mahjong or cards, and then there would be a children’s table playing Mahjong or cards. It was very much: monkey see, monkey do,” he told SBS Examines.
Paul began gambling every day, even while still underage.
“It was the thrill of winning and having an achievement, a financial gain.”
It was after he bet and lost a million dollars over 10 days he decided to seek help.
Now in recovery, Paul told SBS Examines how culture played a role in his relationship with gambling.
“Gambling is so normalised within many Chinese or Asian family dynamics,” he said.
According to a study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, problem gambling rates in the Australian Chinese community are between two to eight times higher than the general population.
And the Chinese community is not the only diverse group at risk.
Wa’el Sabri from the Sydney Local Health District told SBS Examines his main aim is to break the cycle of shame and stigma when it comes to gambling harm.
“Often within quite a lot of communities they see gambling as a failure. Some communities, even religiously, it's prohibited. So they will not go and approach support or counselling.
“It is really important not to say ‘you are a failure’,” he said.
“We need to talk about it. We need to really give them that support and love.”
This episode of SBS Examines looks at how gambling harm affects diverse communities in Australia.
If you or a loved one need support, call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858.
