Gambling self-assessment test
An anonymous nine-question self-check based on the questions the NHS publishes. This gambling addiction test is a prompt for support, not a diagnosis.
Take the test
Answer each question for the last 12 months. The score is added up in your browser, and no answer is stored. Use the result as a private prompt to pause and compare your habits with the responsible gambling guide, not as a label or diagnosis.
What your score means
The NHS scores each answer from 0 to 3, with 0 meaning never and 3 meaning almost always. Add the answers to get a total score. The result points to possible gambling-related harm. It does not decide whether you have a disorder, and it should not be used to excuse behaviour that already feels hard to control.
Score | What it suggests | A sensible next step |
|---|---|---|
0 | The New York Council on Problem Gambling classifies this as non-problem gambling. | Keep budgets, time boundaries and breaks in place if you gamble. |
1 to 7 | The NHS says gambling might still be having a negative impact. | Tighten limits, take a break and consider talking to support if gambling feels hard to control. |
8 or more | The NHS says gambling-related harms are likely. | Avoid further gambling while you arrange support. |
The score is not a moral judgement. It is a simple way to put several behaviours into one result, so you can act before harm grows. A low result can still sit alongside worry, arguments or money pressure. A higher result is a sign to stop treating the situation as a matter of willpower alone.
The New York Council on Problem Gambling lists PGSI scores of 1 or 2 as low risk and 3 to 7 as moderate risk, which gives more detail inside the NHS 1 to 7 range.
If you scored 8 or more, contact a gambling helpline today.
About these questions
The NHS publishes these nine questions. The Gambling Commission describes the same tool as the Problem Gambling Severity Index, or PGSI, with nine items. Each item is scored from 0 to 3, and the total score runs from zero to 27. The New York Council on Problem Gambling says the PGSI comes from Ferris and Wynne’s Canadian Problem Gambling Index report, published in 2001.
A gambling test like this has limits. It is based on self-report, so the result depends on memory, honesty and how clearly you recognise the effect gambling is having. It is also a snapshot of one period.
It can miss harm that sits outside the questions, including strain on relationships, health and finances. It cannot explain why gambling feels hard to stop, and it cannot decide whether you meet clinical criteria.
Treat the result as a first signal rather than a final answer. A score can help you describe what is happening, but assessment looks at context, behaviour over time and the effect on daily life. For the criteria clinicians use, read the guide to how problem gambling is diagnosed.
Other quick checks
Some services use shorter screens before a fuller assessment. The Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance lists the BBGS as a 3-item screen. Psychological Reports identifies Lie/Bet as a two-item gambling screen. These checks can be useful when a person will not complete a longer form, but their short length also means they give less detail.
Check | Questions | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
Lie/Bet | 2 | A very short screen for possible gambling problems. |
BBGS | 3 | A short screen for gambling-related risk. |
Use any short gambling test as a prompt for action, not as proof that everything is fine. If the answer to a short screen worries you, move to a fuller assessment or speak to support. If the answer does not worry you but people close to you are raising concerns, take that seriously as well.
Answering for someone else
You can answer based on behaviour you have seen, not on guesses about private thoughts. The NHS says gambling can harm relationships, physical and mental health and finances, so those are sensible areas to consider. The result is only as good as what you know, and hidden gambling can make the score too low.
Warning patterns can include gambling that affects trust, mood, bills or time with other people. If you are worried about someone else, read the guide to helping a family member or friend with a gambling problem.
Next steps by result
Use the score to choose the next practical action. Do not use a low score as permission to gamble more, and do not use a high score as a label. The safest next step is the one that reduces access, reduces pressure and makes support easier to reach.
A score of 0
A score of 0 means this self-check has not flagged current gambling-related harm. It does not make gambling risk-free. If you gamble, set spending and time boundaries before play starts. Keep deposit, loss and reality-check settings in place, and review the guide to deposit and loss limits before raising any limit.
Do not treat a 0 as a reason to chase bigger stakes or longer sessions. Gambling still has a built-in mathematical disadvantage in casino games. A safer approach is to decide in advance what you can afford to lose, stop at that point and avoid gambling when stressed, angry or trying to recover money.
A score from 1 to 7
The NHS says a score from 1 to 7 might still mean gambling is having a negative impact. Treat that as a reason to tighten limits, take a break and talk to support before the behaviour becomes harder to stop. Plan non-gambling activities for times you would usually bet, and do not wait for a higher score.
This range can include early warning signs. You may still feel in control sometimes, but the cost may already be showing in mood, sleep, bills or relationships. Replace gambling time with something that does not involve betting, spending or checking results. Tell someone trusted if secrecy is making the behaviour easier to repeat.
A score of 8 or more
The NHS says a score of 8 or more means gambling-related harms are likely. Contact support today. Consider blocking access through self-exclusion programmes, and read about ways to stop gambling and treatment options. If money pressure is part of the situation, do not gamble to try to fix it.
If you cannot stop after deciding to stop, treat that as a support issue rather than a personal failure. Remove easy access where you can, avoid gambling apps and payment routes, and ask someone trusted to help you put distance between the urge and the next bet. A clinician or specialist service can assess what is happening and discuss treatment options.
Where to get help
If the score worries you, use the gambling helplines page linked above to find a support route. No single self-check can cover every situation, especially where gambling is hidden or tied to debt, distress or conflict at home. If you feel unable to stop, avoid gambling sites and apps while you arrange help. If someone else may be affected, speak to support yourself as well.
Frequently asked questions
Is this gambling addiction test accurate?
It is a screening prompt, not a diagnosis. The NHS scoring can indicate likely harm at 8 or higher, but the result depends on honest answers about the period asked. A clinician or specialist service can assess wider context.
Is the test anonymous?
Yes. Your answers are added in your browser and no answer is stored. If you are using a shared device, think about privacy before searching for support.
What should I do if I score 8 or more?
The NHS says gambling-related harms are likely at 8 or higher. Contact a gambling helpline today and consider self-exclusion and treatment support. Do not gamble to recover losses or solve money pressure.
How often should I retake the test?
Retake it when your behaviour changes, after a break, or before you remove limits. Do not use repeated checks as a way to justify more gambling. If you feel unable to stop, seek support rather than waiting for another score.