While working in more than 200 Aboriginal communities across Australia over 25 years, an overwhelming number of Aboriginal people have told me that gambling is causing significant problems for so many people they know. So what are we doing to help our people?
Through studies undertaken by the Centre for Gambling Education and Research, Southern Cross University in Lismore, we know that the rate of problem gambling amongst Aboriginal people is much higher than the 1-2 per cent found in the general population. These studies, measuring problem gambling amongst different Aboriginal groups, have found problem gambling rates between 15-20 per cent. Isn't it time we recognised gambling as an issue for our people?
The issue of problem gambling needs to be discussed and acknowledged more broadly, more openly without blame or shame. The true impact of gambling needs to be understood particularly its links to relationship problems, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, mental health, physical health, spiritual health, crime, financial hardship, child neglect, and suicide.
Currently, there are gambling and financial counselling programs around Australia, but only a very small percentage of Aboriginal people have utilised this form of treatment. Together, we should be discussing better ways to address problem gambling, i.e. developing a range of treatments and therapies linked to cultural and healing programs. In addition, I have developed an Aboriginal Gambling Screening Tool for NSW and about to roll out this tool in Queensland known as QLD First Nations Gambling Screening Tool. I continue to lobby to have this question from the Screening Tool added to our 715 Aboriginal Health Checks.
We know that a person with a problem will try and confront the issue themselves in private, followed by speaking to a family member or friend. They might then seek outside help from an organisation. Would they be more inclined to seek help if more Aboriginal people worked in the health and gambling help industry across Australia? Or should we be better at communicating and supporting someone who may have a gambling problem?
Unfortunately, Aboriginal Health Services and Medical Centres are not funded to address gambling-related harm. Sadly, gambling harm is not taken seriously by the relevant government departments.
It appears that gambling is not recognised as a growing concern for Aboriginal Health Services and Medical Centres. Why can't these services do more in this space when this has gone on for far too long?
Gambling is often seen as an individual problem not a community concern, but as the issue of problem gambling continues to grow, the negative impact on our people is being felt more deeply and risks to community wellbeing are becoming greater, it's time we changed that view.
Ashley Gordon is an Aboriginal man from the western-NSW community of Brewarrina, a descendent of the Gamilaroi and Barkindji people.
Since his successful career in rugby league with the Newcastle Knights, he has been involved in the Gambling Help sector with extensive experience working with more the 200 Aboriginal communities throughout Australia since 1999.
Mr Gordon is on the federal Ministerial Expert Advisory Group on Gambling and the Expert Advisory Group for the Australian Gambling Research centre, is a gambling researcher with the Centre for Gambling Education and Research at Southern Cross University at Lismore, and a member of the National Suicide Prevention Trial Evaluation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sub-Committee.
He is the Executive Director of NSW Aboriginal Safe Gambling Services and the First Nations Advisor for the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.
