This paper compares results from studies of gambling and problem gambl
ing among indigenous groups in New Zealand and in North Dakota. The sa
mples for each of these studies included substantial numbers of indige
nous respondents, and the methods used in these studies were similar e
nough to allow comparisons of Caucasian and indigenous groups from the
se two distinct cultures. Analysis shows that gambling involvement, ga
mbling expenditures, and gambling-related problems are far higher amon
g indigenous respondents than among Caucasian respondents in both New
Zealand and North Dakota. These comparisons suggest that differences b
etween indigenous peoples and Caucasians in gambling behaviors may be
due to factors distinct from culture or milieu.