Motivations and Allure: Exploring Casino Gambling Experiences of Older Chinese Immigrants in New York City

Background and Purpose: Personal and media accounts indicate high gambling activity within Chinese communities, evidenced by targeted advertisements in ethnic newspapers and specialized promotions by casinos. However, there is limited understanding of the experiences and perceptions of older Chinese immigrants regarding gambling in the U.S. The public media often expresses concerns about gambling in Asian communities, with numerous anecdotal cases reported, yet systematic investigations into casino gambling among Chinese immigrants are lacking. This study aims to explore the experiences and perspectives of older Chinese immigrants in New York City concerning casino gambling.

Methods: Twenty-five in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with older Chinese immigrants (aged 65 and above) residing in New York City who self-reported that they had gambled within the last 12 months. The average age of participants was 72.44 with a slight majority being male (14 male; 11 female). Participants were primarily recruited through a senior center in Chinatown Manhattan. Fliers in Mandarin and Cantonese were posted in the agency personnel provided referrals for participants. Interviews were conducted by bilingual or trilingual interviewers proficient in Mandarin or Cantonese. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subsequently translated into English. Thematic analysis was employed to examine the data about casino gambling.

Findings: Similar to other senior populations, many older Chinese immigrants engaged in casino gambling. Thematic analysis revealed two major themes in casino gambling among older Chinese immigrants: “wanting” and “alluring.” The first theme, “wanting” pertains to the motivations of individual gamblers as active agents. Their motivations resulted from the interplay of psychological and emotional aspects of their lives related to boredom, entertainment, winning, and coping strategies. They visited casinos to alleviate boredom, pass the time, and potentially win money. Some used casino gambling as a means of coping with emotional distress. The second theme, “alluring” concerns the aggressive marketing strategies of casinos and sociocultural factors. Casinos in New Jersey and Connecticut offered convenience through shuttle buses, familiar food, and concerts tailored to Chinese immigrants in New York City. Additionally, cultural factors played a role, with casino visits viewed as a social activity that strengthens bonds with family and co-workers.

Conclusions and Implications:

After recent legislative changes on gambling within the state, New York City anticipates the establishment of two casinos. Concerns have arisen within Asian communities, prompting calls for proactive measures to mitigate potential negative consequences associated with increased casino availability. This study may provide some necessary information for social workers to design intervention strategies for this specific population. For example, older Chinese immigrants articulate their motivations for visiting casinos, often involving family and co-workers, which serve as initial entry points into casino gambling. The findings suggest that social workers engaged with older Asian immigrants should be prepared to engage in conversations with individuals experiencing challenges related to the financial and psychological impacts of gambling, as well as the underlying motivations driving their engagement in casino gambling.