Problem gambling is a worldwide public health issue. Large-scale studies on problem gambling, however, often neglect to include working-class, immigrant Asian Americans, who are at a high risk for problem gambling. This may explain the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate gambling treatment and prevention services for Asian Americans. It may also perpetuate the “Asian gambling culture” myth, which is rooted in anti-Asian racism. In this study, the researchers interviewed 40 adults from Asian immigrant communities (Khmer, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese). Findings from the study suggest that poverty, language barriers, and social and cultural loss that results from immigration are the root causes of problem gambling in the Asian American community. This underscores the importance of addressing social and structural barriers. The findings also highlight the need for gambling interventions and services centered on the lived experiences of Asian community members.
