API and Gambling

Hi,
I am working on a project to address problem gambling in Asian Pacific Islander communities in California. This issue has plagued our communities since our peoples first came to this country, and there does not seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel. More and more, casinos are taking an aggressive approach when it comes to advertising in our communities because they know that API’s have higher gambling rates than other groups. Not only that, the casinos are making it easier and more convenient for our communities: free transportation to casinos, free lunches, a few dollars to start off with, as well as casino employees who speak their languages.

Combine this with no real funding from the state of California for treatment and prevention, as well as very few resources for API’s to tap in to for treatment (such as in-language services), and we see the sorry state of how members of our community have it. Currently, I am collecting resources, videos, and stories that will all be available on a website that can be accessed by anyone in the community (to be released in a few months). The goal is to raise awareness of an issue that affects many of us in one way or another.

Where I am looking for help is with the collection of stories. I need help gathering stories regarding the issue of gambling to help portray a better image of where are community is at with this issue. They can be good…bad…whatever people want to share on the topic. There are no word limits and you do not have to be from California. Just please send whatever you want to mygamblingstory@gmail.com Everyone of whom I have talked to about this project has had some story close to the heart. These stories can be about a parent, uncle, aunt, friend, boyfriend, neighbor, etc. Problem gambling is not something you can easily see and point out. Tell us your story so we can start truly documenting what is happening in our communities. Any help would be great!

Thanks!

Scott Chan