Gambling addiction self-test (PGSI)

9 questionsAbout 2 minutesNothing is stored or sent

This is the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), the nine-question screen used in national gambling surveys in Canada, Great Britain, Australia and elsewhere. Answer for the past 12 months. A score of 8 or more indicates problem gambling; 3–7 moderate risk; 1–2 low risk. It is a screen, not a diagnosis.

1. Have you bet more than you could really afford to lose?NeverSometimesMost of the timeAlmost always

2. Have you needed to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement?NeverSometimesMost of the timeAlmost always

3. When you gambled, did you go back another day to try to win back the money you lost?NeverSometimesMost of the timeAlmost always

4. Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?NeverSometimesMost of the timeAlmost always

5. Have you felt that you might have a problem with gambling?NeverSometimesMost of the timeAlmost always

6. Has gambling caused you any health problems, including stress or anxiety?NeverSometimesMost of the timeAlmost always

7. Have people criticised your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem, regardless of whether or not you thought it was true?NeverSometimesMost of the timeAlmost always

8. Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?NeverSometimesMost of the timeAlmost always

9. Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?NeverSometimesMost of the timeAlmost always

What the score means

PGSI score	Category	What it usually means
0	Non-problem gambling	No reported harm in the past year.
1–2	Low risk	Occasional signs. Worth setting limits before they grow. See how to set gambling limits.
3–7	Moderate risk	Gambling is causing some harm. Blocking tools and a helpline conversation are reasonable next steps. See tools that work.
8–27	Problem gambling	Meets the survey threshold for problem gambling. Free treatment is available in many countries. See treatment options and help by country.

The two-question screen (Lie/Bet)

If nine questions is too many right now, the Lie/Bet questionnaire uses two: Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled? and Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money? A “yes” to either is the trigger for a fuller assessment.

What to do with the result

Any score above 0: read the signs of gambling addiction and decide on one limit you will set today.
3 or more: put a block between you and the bet — device blocking, a bank gambling block or self-exclusion — and call a helpline. They take first calls all day.
8 or more: the same, plus an assessment for treatment. CBT for gambling is the best-evidenced therapy and is free through public services in several countries.
Worried about someone else? The questions can be answered about another person as a rough guide; see how to help someone.

Need help now? Free, confidential gambling helplines exist in most countries — see the helpline directory. In immediate danger, call your local emergency number.

Frequently asked questions

Is this test a diagnosis?

No. The PGSI is a screening questionnaire used in population surveys and by helplines. A diagnosis of gambling disorder is made by a clinician using the DSM-5 or ICD-11 criteria. A high score means it is worth talking to someone; a low score does not rule out harm.

What score means I have a gambling problem?

On the PGSI, 8 or more points (out of 27) is classed as problem gambling, 3–7 as moderate risk, 1–2 as low risk and 0 as non-problem gambling. The questions cover the past 12 months.

Is my answer stored anywhere?

No. The score is calculated in your browser and nothing is sent to a server.

Where can I take a fuller assessment?

National helplines offer a confidential assessment by phone or chat; see the helpline directory. In the UK the NHS gambling clinics and GamCare assess for free; in the US, call 1-800-MY-RESET.