By Chris Serres and Danny McDonald, Globe Staff, Mable Chan and Esmy Jimenez, Globe Correspondents, Boston Globe

The Boston Globe reported on the predatory practices of casinos, the issues with gambling parlors, and how the community is addressing problem gambling in Chinatown and the Asian immigrant community.

The 3-part series includes: “How casinos in New England are exploiting Asian communities for profit,” “Within the confines of Boston’s Chinatown, there are dozens of illegal gambling parlors. What is the city doing about it?,” and “In Greater Boston’s Asian communities, gambling can build social ties — and fuel addiction. Here’s how residents are fighting back.“

BCNC contributed to this series that features BCNC’s work in addressing problem gambling and in providing alternative recreational activities at Pao Arts Center.

The investigation finds that New England casinos deliberately target Asian communities—especially in places like Boston’s Chinatown—as a key source of profit. They use strategies like free shuttle buses from heavily Asian neighborhoods, culturally tailored marketing, and casino games popular in Asian cultures to attract patrons.

Nearly a quarter of Encore’s customers are people of Asian descent, three times their share of the population in New England, according to a 2022 patron survey.

Once inside, casinos encourage continued gambling through perks and large lines of credit, sometimes leading people to take on massive debt. When gamblers cannot repay, casinos pursue aggressive legal action—disproportionately against Asian patrons, who make up the vast majority of those sued for gambling debts.

The article also highlights the presence of illegal loan sharks operating inside casinos, preying on vulnerable gamblers, and a lack of strong enforcement from regulators and law enforcement.

Alongside many community partners, BCNC and Pao Arts Center are driving advocacy and increasing visibility of critical community resources.

The spacious Pao Arts Center in Chinatown has become a focal point of this effort to broaden entertainment options. Monday nights, the center is transformed into a hub of activity — with karaoke performances, traditional Chinese dancing, and ping-pong. The center also holds monthly arts and crafts events, where mental health clinicians discuss the signs of compulsive gambling and encourage people to seek help.

BCNC brings wellness and addresses problem gambling among immigrant communities through community wellness initiatives and collaborations with other community organizations in the Greater Boston area including YouLead, AAPI Empowerment Project and Project RISE, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of Problem Gambling Services.