How much gambling has negatively impacted Asian communities nationwide becomes increasingly more apparent each time major casinos enter into bidding processes. In a 2019 chicagobusiness.com report, Wynn Resorts explicitly stated their interest in focusing on “high-end Asian gamblers” for their Encore casino in Everett. In a December 2022 New York Times article about Asians and casinos in the New York area, the “complicated relationship” the gambling industry has with its Asian customer base was even more clearly illustrated:
“Many of the city’s older Chinese residents rely on the weekly bus routine [to and from the casinos] for entertainment- and even income from selling their vouchers- as a way to deal…living in a country where they barely speak the language.”
AACA recently hosted a Community Forum, “ You Bet Your Life: Gambling In Our Community” a wide-ranging ninety minute discussion between community members and providers about the devastating harm that compulsive gambling has caused in so many Asian families throughout Massachusetts. Speakers included Long Bánh Vu, Program Manager, Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), Linh Ho, GameSense, and Manager, Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH), Kit Yung, Family Services Manager, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC). Bonnie K. Andrews, MPH, PhDy. Research Manager, Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
Long concurred the tremendous sense of hopelessness about problem gambling and gambling addiction. As a solution, he described that MGC designed the program, to in which men and women who aware of their gambling addiction (or burgeoning addiction) can ask to have themselves removed from a casino for an agreed upon period of time as a way to alleviate the pressures such temptations might bring to their lives. “Some casinos are international chains, located in a lot of Asian cities. Macao is one of the famous casino cities in China. When you walk into a casino, you often find Asian dealers, or their marketing advertisements are in Chinese. People feel like they are in familiar surroundings when they walk into a casino.
MACGH is working closely with all the casinos in Massachusetts to train casino staff to identify persons who are “in trouble” and offer to take them to a GameSense Counselor to help them. All the casinos have these Counselors on site 24/7 for support. BCNC is doing outreach, peer learning opportunities, and recreational activities in collaboration with other community agencies in Boston, Quincy and Malden as alternatives to gambling to reduce stress.
These efforts by the government and professionals were applauded. However, being 100% voluntary was frustrating for those who were seeking immediate help for their families or friends because they knew that they would not sign up. Baolian, Chinese Progressive Association said “It is heartbreaking to see a lot of families suffering from gambling addiction. Most of the time, the one who has an addiction won’t willingly admit they have issues or need help. They won’t sign up for any program like this.” Yoyo from BCNC said, “If we try to force it, it might cause Domestic Violence in the family. It will create a more serious problem.
John, a Housing Specialist in Chinatown, left the forum stating that he learned a lot about what was available. He plans to tell two of his clients who were on the verge of losing their homes and businesses. Another audience member said that he came because he was just curious. His friend smiled and said, “Thank you for the information. It was helpful.”
