Gambling Addiction Test
A confidential self-check built on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), the most widely used research tool for measuring gambling-related harm. Get an instant, plain-language result with your risk band and a professional PDF report you can keep or bring to a counselor. No judgment, just clarity.
Gambling Addiction Test is a free, confidential 9-question self-assessment, based on the validated PGSI. It takes about 4 minutes, runs entirely in your browser, and gives you a plain-language score across 4 interpretation bands plus a downloadable PDF report. It is an educational screening, not a diagnosis.
How gambling is affecting you, measured three ways
A single yes-or-no question cannot capture how gambling fits into a life. The PGSI looks at behavior, financial impact, and the effect on how you feel, so the picture is honest rather than alarmist.
PGSI risk score
The nine validated Problem Gambling Severity Index items, each rated by how often it has happened in the last 12 months. This is the score the research is built on.
Financial impact
Whether you have bet more than you could afford, chased losses, or borrowed or sold things to gamble. Money is often where harm shows up first.
Personal and emotional cost
Guilt, criticism from others, feeling that gambling is causing health or stress problems. The toll is rarely only financial.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Validated PGSI questions | Sometimes | Yes, faithful wording |
| Standard PGSI risk bands | Rarely | Yes (no risk to problem gambling) |
| Financial and emotional breakdown | No | Yes, both shown |
| Non-shaming, supportive tone | Often judgmental | Yes, throughout |
| Helpline and next steps | Rarely | Yes, 1-800-GAMBLER included |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
How scoring works
Answers are scored 0–27 in total. Your result falls into one of 4 bands:
| Score | Band | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 0–0 | No problem indicated | You did not report any gambling-related harm on this screen. That is reassuring for this measure. The context below is still worth a look. |
| 1–2 | Low risk | You reported a low level of gambling-related harm. Most people who gamble fall around here, and the picture is very manageable. |
| 3–7 | Moderate risk | You reported a moderate level of gambling-related harm. This is worth paying attention to now, while it is very workable. |
| 8–27 | Problem gambling indicated | You reported a level of harm that the PGSI links with problem gambling. That can be hard to read, and reaching out for support from here makes a real difference. |
Methodology & sources
The nine questions reproduce the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), the scored subset of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index developed by Ferris and Wynne (2001). Each item is rated on a four-point frequency scale from never to almost always over the past 12 months, for a maximum score of 27. The wording stays faithful to the validated instrument while being readable and non-judgmental.
This test is provided for education and self-reflection. It uses the established PGSI cutoffs (0 = no problem, 1 to 2 = low risk, 3 to 7 = moderate risk, 8 and above = problem gambling) to place your result in context. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis, and the language deliberately avoids shame because shame is one of the biggest barriers to people getting help.
References
- Ferris J, Wynne H. The Canadian Problem Gambling Index: Final Report. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse; 2001.
- Currie SR, Hodgins DC, Casey DM. Validity of the Problem Gambling Severity Index interpretive categories. J Gambl Stud. 2013;29(2):311–327.
- Williams RJ, Volberg RA. The classification accuracy of four problem gambling assessment instruments in population research. Int Gambl Stud. 2014;14(1):15–28.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed., Text Revision. Washington, DC: APA; 2022.
Gambling Addiction Test FAQ
What is the PGSI gambling test?
The Problem Gambling Severity Index is a nine-question, research-validated tool that measures how much gambling is affecting your life over the past year. It looks at behavior, money, and the emotional toll, then places your result in one of four risk bands. It is widely used in population health research and is one of the most reliable brief screeners available.
What score means I have a gambling problem?
On the PGSI, a total of 8 or higher falls in the problem gambling range, 3 to 7 is moderate risk, 1 to 2 is low risk, and 0 means no problem indicated. These are population-level cutoffs to guide reflection, not a clinical verdict about you specifically.
Is this test a diagnosis?
No. It is for education and self-reflection only. A gambling disorder can only be assessed by a licensed clinician. If your results concern you, talking with a counselor or your doctor is a sound next step, and there is no shame in doing so.
Is the test really confidential?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to a server, never stored, and never linked to you. No account is needed, and the optional PDF is generated on your own device.
Where can I get help right now?
In the US you can call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537), free and confidential, 24 hours a day. Many people find that one call is the first step toward feeling back in control.
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