Need help now? National Problem Gambling Helpline · 1-800-MY-RESET Call →
Gambling self-test
Still fun?
The gambling self-test used by helplines worldwide: nine questions about the last 12 months. About a minute.
Not sure if someone close to you has a problem? Tick what you’ve noticed. It isn’t a test of them: it helps you decide what to do.
Nothing saved or sent Free, no sign-up About a minute
Tick what you’ve noticed in the last few months.
Nothing you tick is saved or sent.
What raised your score, and what helps
Every answer above “Never”, with one thing that helps with exactly that.
Answer the questions above: your answers show up here, each with what to do about it.
How to bring it up
Pick a calm moment
Not after a loss or a row. Say what you’ve seen and how it affects you, not what they are.
Don’t pay off their debts
It feels kind, but it usually keeps the betting going. Protect your own money first.
Offer one next step
“Would you call the helpline with me?” works better than a list of demands.
Get support for you
Helplines and family groups are for you too, even if they’re not ready.
Free, confidential help
Help in the United States
Somewhere else? → National Problem Gambling Helpline
National Council on Problem Gambling · Free · 24/7 · call, text or chat
1-800-522-4700 still works too.
There is no national list: each state runs its own. The helpline can point you to yours.
Budget check: plan vs real
Last month: what did you mean to spend on betting, and what did you actually put in (deposits minus withdrawals)?
Questions
What is this test?
The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI): the nine scored questions of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (Ferris & Wynne, 2001). Helplines, health services and researchers around the world use it. Each answer scores 0 to 3, so the total goes from 0 to 27.
Is it a diagnosis?
No. It shows how much risk your gambling carries right now. Only a doctor or a trained counsellor can diagnose a gambling disorder. If your score worries you, the helpline on this page is a free first step.
Who sees my answers?
No one. The score is worked out in your browser: nothing is saved on this site or sent anywhere. Close the page and it’s gone.
What do the scores mean?
0: no signs of harm. 1 to 2: low risk. 3 to 7: moderate risk, with some harm already. 8 or more: problem gambling, with real harm.
Why does it ask about the last 12 months?
That is how the test was built and checked: a year shows a pattern, so one good or bad week doesn’t decide the result.
My score is high. What should I do now?
Call or chat with the helpline today; it’s free and confidential. Self-exclusion stops new bets while you get support, and a blocking app keeps betting sites off your phone. Telling one person you trust helps more than it seems.
My score is low. Does that mean I’m fine?
It means there are few signs of harm right now. Things can change quickly, especially with live betting, so keep a deposit limit on and take the test again if your betting changes.
How often should I take it?
Every few months is enough, or any time your betting changes. A rising score is worth acting on, even while it’s still low.
Can I take it for someone else?
The questions are about your own gambling, so only the person who bets can answer them. If you’re worried about someone, use “Someone I care about”: a list of signs and how to bring it up.
Can I get help in my own language?
Yes. Most national helplines answer in the local language, and Gambling Therapy offers free online help in many languages, wherever you live.
Is the test free?
Yes: no sign-up, no email, nothing to pay.
Does Bookies Guide make money from bookmakers?
Not today: we have no affiliate deals, so no link on this site earns us anything. If that changes, we’ll say so on every page, and the help on this page will stay the same.
Help details checked on October 31, 2026. Questions: Problem Gambling Severity Index (Ferris & Wynne, 2001, Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse).