Gambling is prohibited (excepted in some cases) in Vanuatu and is sometimes affected by a strong negative charge. Two forms of gambling take place in the urban community of Seaside Tongoa in Port Vila: the first is seen as a daily pastime; the second is related to fundraising, solidarity and is occasional. The argument in this paper is that gambling, far from being only a gainful or leisure activity, reveals social issues. If the daily pastime bingo reinforces feelings of membership in residential settings and gendered social groups, occasional bingo named Katikati give rise to relationships based on reciprocity of gifts in larger wholes. Daily and occasional bingos are not in opposition. These two forms of gambling contribute to nourishing abundant and multifactorial community feelings each of which can be intermittently experienced.
Bingo et enjeux sociaux : l'exemple de la communauté urbaine de Seaside Tongoa à Port-Vila (Vanuatu)