"When People Reach Out that is When They're Desperate": Understanding Informal and Formal Help-Seeking Practices for Gambling among Aboriginal Peoples in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Abstract

This study provides an in-depth qualitative exploration of Aboriginal peoples' experiences with seeking help for gambling-related issues in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Through semi-structured interviews with 29 participants, including regular and occasional gamblers as well as those affected by others' gambling, the research highlights key barriers to seeking formal help. These barriers included the normalisation of gambling within Aboriginal communities, denial of gambling problems, feelings of shame, privacy concerns, and a lack of trust in mainstream services. Additionally, past negative experiences with services, fear of judgment, and logistical challenges, such as long waiting times and transportation difficulties in remote areas, contributed to the low uptake of professional services. Instead, informal support from family and friends was occasionally sought, reflecting the collectivist nature of Aboriginal cultures. Participants also reported employing self-help strategies and offered practical suggestions for minimising gambling harm. This research underscores the complexity of gambling behaviours within Aboriginal communities and the cultural, social, and systemic factors that deter access to formal support services. It calls for the integration of Indigenous knowledge and practices into gambling prevention and intervention programs, which may improve the relevance and effectiveness of these strategies. By addressing both cultural norms and access barriers, such targeted approaches may reduce the need for reactive interventions and better support the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people affected by gambling in the NT. To improve relevant policies and practices, we also consider these findings to contribute to the broader Indigenous-specific gambling prevention evidence-base contexts nationally and globally.