Women and the new gambling culture in Australia

This report is based on two empirical studies on women within the 'new gamb ling culture' in Australia. One group is representing a range of cultural d iversity with non-English speaking backgrounds; the informants are communit y spokespersons and counsellors for the women. Personal notions of karma an d predestination, as well as structural changes in the society such as indu strial downsizing affect the gambling behaviour of some cultural groups, po ssibly encouraging the development of gambling addiction. The second Dart of the study comprises the narratives of gambling experienc es by ten self-selected problem gamblers. Many components of their self-des criptions showed common accounts: loss and attempted regain of identity, es cape from domestic abuse including rape; from social isolation, loneliness and boredom. Sadly, however, the flight to freedom produced a paradox. Beco ming addicted and in serious financial debt seriously restricted the women' s autonomy. The conclusion is that more research exposure is needed for ind ividuals to be able to recognise their behaviour in context and gain or reg ain their sense of autonomy.