The Face of Problem Gambling In South Auckland

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The Face of Problem Gambling in South Auckland
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3 Case Studies Background Gambling Screening
Project The Salvation Army Oasis Problem Gambling
Services and Manukau Social Services
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45 year Maori Man Family background-alcohol
problems Dad gambled on horses-Tom
involved Thought they won often
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Relationship-10 years-3 children Financial
burden-struggle to support family Income
low Worked long hours-72 per week No time for
rest or family Constant bickering and growing
debt
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Betting started Money in machines faster than
the horses You dont notice that you lose more
than you win Its too late!!!! Constant
loser Relationship broke up
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Left family and work to gamble Here he comes
again to scam money Next bet will fix
everything-numb No accommodation-everything
dries up Robbing and pinching is what I
did Point to change
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Badly missing children health deteriorating came
looking for food parcel saw sign about gambling
help time to change
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Now wants to achieve goals education, support to
change for me it was financial ignorance still
a lot of debt and a way to go coming to centre
positive temptation still strong-pokies
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Peggy Sue 34 years Niuean woman Family came to
NZ in 1979 Grandfather really hard man and Mum
worked hard to pay the bills Left home at 12 and
school at 15 Low paid factory work
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Relationship at 17-we were once were warriors
- 2 children New relationship - partner died in
accident My Mum took up gambling during this
time Took me to casino for 25th birthday
thought it was waste of time but then won 200
off 20-and lost it all!! Started scabbing off Nan
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Started scabbing off Nan for gambling Lots of
gambling in family by now -TAB Mum took brother
to races so he could gamble- they werent
drinking so it was OK For me things got really
bad-no money for things for kids Then
suddenly-it seemed-no money for food
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Focussed on pokies-they are everywhere Got
really sick of it and got a job-OH NO! more
money to gamble. Excitement and intense feelings
Gambling presentation at work and then out to
play!! Whats the sense in that eh!!
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Came to centre with friend two weeks ago Filled
out screen-no surprise-relief two weeks gamble
free Spare money for gambling but its not spare
money-reality is its more debt!
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Everyone in my family is addicted to it by
now-the whole lot With drinking theres a limit
but with gambling it isnt finished until its
all gone
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Children have missed out never hungry but just
getting through low paying work and debts take
most of income tired of it all-want to get
bedspreads and shoes for the kids
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Taught partner to gamble he says things like-that
5 could earn enough to fix all the
bills Combination of alcohol and gambling Im
really tired and depressed phones getting
disconnected today
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32 year European woman Parents English but Mary
born in NZ Parents separated when Mary 15 Mum
experienced mental illness Mary became
caregiver Mum -suicidal episodes-very little
support
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Entered abusive relationship at 17 baby at 18 By
19 on her own caring for both Mum and
daughter Working full time-responsibility for
family Very responsible with money 6 years ago
went to pub with friend and had a little muck
around with pokies
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Won 100 off 5 wow this is cool going
regularly as way of being by myself escape from
responsibility and possibility of quick
financial gain. Finances tight but we
survived Gambling escalated-more money in
machines and bills-higher and higher
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It changes you-begin to lie sick anxious and
feel horrible like driving car into pole didnt
enjoy it but went there every time I got ANY
money Children had food but no extras GUILTY
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I am a sensible person loss of control hard to
come to terms with 04/05 worst time - sought
help this year Tried some services but didnt
connect and ended up at Oasis Went well but
then slipped back-but now light has switched on
positive-overcome-recover asked - why me???
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Horrible experience but now I can turn it round
-I have a lot to offer now Its hard to accept
yourself makes it hard to get help-the shame
and loss of self worth and dignity Still
facing lots of debt gambling trigger - pay debts
off Daughters have seen change in her
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Government needs to know how severe this
is!! Bar staff need to be more aware and have
more power they dont come and monitor the
pokie rooms do they - if they went round checking
it might make you feel less comfortable
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Themes poverty, family dysfunction attitudes
and beliefs losing control harm to
children burden of debt ongoing poverty
compounded temptation
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Themes Resilience Survival Courage Gaining
control