This research was conducted by researchers at Charles Darwin University. The aim of the research project was to explore the gambling and life experiences of CALD populations and identify differences, if any, between CALD and non-CALD populations in the interrelationships between gambling problems and other items on the Negative Life Event Scale.

Survey data used for this project were from the 2002 and 2006 General Social Survey obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The findings demonstrated that the CALD population experiences lower levels of negative life events (or life stressors) compared to the non-CALD population. Between 2002 and 2006 these events declined within the CALD population.

In 2006, problem gambling within the CALD population compared to the general population was at significantly lower levels. However, particular sub-populations had higher rates of gambling problems especially for those people originating from New Zealand and Oceania. 

Gambling problems were found to be associated with negative life events of divorce, separation, death of a family member, knowing someone in a serious accident and mental illness. It is likely that gambling is employed as a coping mechanism for negative life events.