Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)
9-item screening for problem gambling risk
9 quick questions about your gambling habits over the past year. No judgment, just a reality check.
What Is the PGSI?
The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is a 9-item screening tool developed by Ferris and Wynne (2001) for the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. It is used in population surveys including the UK Health Survey for England and the Scottish Health Survey to measure where someone sits on the gambling harm spectrum.
It is not a clinical diagnosis. It is a thermometer: it tells you whether your gambling habits are worth a closer look.
The PGSI asks about the past 12 months across four domains: gambling behavior (betting more than you can afford, chasing losses, tolerance), negative consequences (financial problems, health issues, criticism from others), loss of control (borrowing money, feeling you might have a problem), and emotional impact (guilt).
Four severity levels: non-problem (0), low risk (1-2), moderate risk (3-7), and problem gambling (8+).
Scoring Guide
Each item 0-3 (Never=0, Sometimes=1, Most of the time=2, Almost always=3). Total 0-27. Cutoffs: 0=non-problem, 1-2=low risk, 3-7=moderate risk, 8+=problem gambling.Result Interpretation
After completing the 9 questions, you'll get a detailed results report right away:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. You don't need an account or login.