Published by the Ministry of Health (Manatū Hauora), Voices of Lived Experience: Asian people’s journeys from gambling harm to recovery explores how Asian people in Aotearoa move from gambling harm toward recovery, and what helps or hinders that change.

Led by Asian Family Services (AFS) for the Ministry of Health’s Gambling Harm Research Programme, the study used a qualitative, inductive thematic design. It included 40 participants: 28 recovered gamblers and 12 affected family members, interviewed between August and November 2024. Each participant was interviewed twice in their preferred language, using ethnicity/culture- and language-matched interviewers to support trust and deeper understanding.

Findings show recovery journeys are highly personal and often non-linear, with many participants experiencing cycles of progress and relapse. Common strategies included setting limits, avoiding high-risk gambling settings, replacing gambling with healthier activities, and practices such as mindfulness/meditation. Family support was consistently central to recovery, and religion/faith-based support also featured as a powerful source of healing for some participants.

The report highlights the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive services and practical implications for earlier help-seeking, community engagement, support groups, and stronger host responsibility training to better recognise and respond to gambling harm.