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Full citation
Wong, C., & Wu, H.-C. (2020). Gambling behavior of ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese college students in the United States. International Gambling Studies, 20(1), 14–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2019.1646779
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Region & Target Population
- Region: United States
- Target population: Ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese emerging adults, primarily college students aged 18–25
Study Design
- Cross-sectional, cross-cultural comparative survey study
- Designed to isolate cultural differences in gambling behavior while holding national context constant
Sample Characteristics (with data-collection years)
- Population base: College students recruited from U.S. universities
- Ethnic groups compared: Ethnic Chinese students vs Ethnic Vietnamese students
- Age range: Predominantly 18–25 years (emerging adulthood)
- Gender: Both men and women included
- Sample size: The study reports separate samples for Chinese and Vietnamese students, with analyses conducted by ethnic group. N=653 respondents (251 male; 402 female)
- Data collection years: Late 2010s (exact calendar year not explicitly stated in the article)
Comparative Framework
- Within-country comparison:
- Same U.S. gambling environment
- Same legal access and availability
- Between-group comparison:
- Cultural norms
- Family attitudes toward gambling
- Gambling motivations and preferred gambling products
Measures Used
- Gambling participation:
- Engagement in specific gambling activities (e.g., card games, casino gambling, lotteries)
- Frequency of gambling behavior
- Cultural and social factors:
- Family attitudes toward gambling
- Cultural norms surrounding gambling acceptability
- Demographics: Age, Gender, Ethnic identification
Research Questions
- Do gambling behaviors differ between ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese emerging adults living in the United States?
- Are there differences in types of gambling activities preferred by each group?
- How do cultural norms and family attitudes shape gambling behavior within each community?
Key Findings
- Ethnic differences in gambling activities:
- Chinese emerging adults reported higher engagement in card games and casino gambling.
- Vietnamese emerging adults reported higher participation in lottery gambling.
- Cultural shaping of behavior: Gambling motivations and participation were strongly influenced by cultural traditions and family norms rather than access or legality.
- Shared environment, different patterns: Despite living in the same U.S. context, the two groups showed distinct gambling profiles, underscoring the persistence of cultural influences.
Study Conclusion
This study demonstrates that culture remains a powerful determinant of gambling behavior, even when emerging adults live within the same national and regulatory environment. Among U.S. based college students, ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese emerging adults showed clear differences in gambling participation and preferred gambling activities, reflecting culturally specific norms and family influences.
The authors conclude that even within the same U.S. regulatory environment, gamblingbehaviors differ across ethnic communities in ways that reflect cultural practices and group specific norms. They emphasize that Chinese and Vietnamese college students showed distinct gambling profiles, suggesting that cultural orientation and community context shape gambling choices beyond mere availability. The authors position these differences as important for prevention because “one-size-fits-all” approaches may miss how gambling meanings and motivations are embedded in family and cultural contexts. They conclude that culturally informed research and outreach is needed to address gambling risk among emerging adults across diverse Asian American communities.
