One of the most difficult aspects of problem gambling is recognizing it in yourself. Denial, rationalization, and gradual escalation can make it hard to see when recreational gambling has become something more concerning. An honest self-assessment can cut through these barriers and provide objective clarity about your gambling behavior. This comprehensive guide walks you through a detailed questionnaire designed to help you evaluate whether gambling is under control, presents warning signs by risk category, and explains what steps to take based on your results. Approaching this assessment with honesty is the key to gaining valuable insight.
Why Self-Assessment Matters
Self-assessment is a powerful tool for understanding your relationship with gambling. Unlike waiting for others to express concern or for serious consequences to accumulate, self-assessment empowers you to evaluate your situation proactively.
Honest self-evaluation requires setting aside defensiveness and denial. Many people developing gambling problems are aware something isn't right but avoid confronting it directly. Structured questions make it harder to overlook concerning patterns because they specifically ask about behaviors you might otherwise minimize or ignore.
Benefits of early recognition are substantial. Identifying problematic gambling early—before severe financial damage, broken relationships, or mental health crises develop—means intervention is simpler and more effective. Early-stage problems are easier to address with self-management strategies, while advanced problems often require intensive professional treatment.
How self-assessment leads to action is straightforward: awareness creates the opportunity for change. You can't address a problem you don't acknowledge. Once you recognize gambling is becoming problematic, you can implement limits, seek support, or make other changes before consequences worsen.
Comprehensive Self-Assessment Questionnaire
Answer each question honestly based on your gambling behavior over the past 12 months. Rate each statement on this scale: -
Never (0 points) – This doesn't apply to me -
Rarely (1 point) – This happens occasionally but infrequently -
Sometimes (2 points) – This happens regularly but not always -
Often (3 points) – This happens frequently -
Always (4 points) – This applies to me consistently
Time and Frequency Questions
1. I spend more time gambling than I originally intended 2. I think about gambling frequently when I'm not playing 3. I gamble more often than I did when I started 4. I've tried to cut back on gambling but found it difficult 5. I return to gamble soon after promising myself I would stop or reduce
Financial Control Questions
6. I gamble with money I've set aside for bills or essential expenses 7. I've borrowed money or sold possessions to gamble 8. I chase losses by gambling more to try to win back what I've lost 9. I've lied to others about how much money I spend gambling 10. I've experienced financial problems due to gambling
Emotional and Behavioral Questions
11. I gamble to escape problems, stress, anxiety, or depression 12. I feel restless or irritable when trying to reduce or stop gambling 13. My mood depends significantly on whether I win or lose 14. I've felt guilty or ashamed about my gambling 15. I've hidden my gambling activity from family or friends
Relationship and Responsibility Questions
16. Gambling has caused arguments or conflicts with family or friends 17. I've neglected important responsibilities at work, school, or home because of gambling 18. I've missed social events or time with loved ones to gamble 19. People close to me have expressed concern about my gambling 20. My relationships have suffered because of gambling
Honesty and Secrecy Questions
21. I've lied about where I've been or what I've been doing to hide gambling 22. I gamble alone more often than I used to 23. I've deleted browser history or hidden evidence of gambling 24. I feel defensive when someone asks about my gambling 25. I minimize or downplay my gambling when discussing it with others
Calculate your total score by adding all points.
Scoring and Interpreting Your Results
Your total score provides insight into your current relationship with gambling:
0-15 points: Low RiskYou show few signs of problematic gambling. Your gambling appears to be recreational with minimal negative impact. Continue monitoring your behavior and maintaining healthy boundaries.
16-35 points: Moderate RiskYou're experiencing some warning signs of problematic gambling. Gambling may be starting to affect your life in concerning ways. This is an important stage for intervention before problems escalate.
36-60 points: High RiskYou're showing multiple indicators of problem gambling. Gambling is likely causing significant negative consequences in your finances, relationships, or emotional well-being. Professional support is advisable.
61-100 points: Severe ProblemYour responses indicate a severe gambling problem with widespread negative effects. Immediate professional help is strongly recommended. You're not alone, and effective treatment exists. Remember that any score above 15 warrants attention. Even moderate-risk scores indicate patterns worth addressing before they worsen.
Warning Signs by Category
Understanding which categories show concerning patterns can guide your focus for change.
Low-risk patterns involve occasional minor issues that don't significantly impact life. You might sometimes spend more time than intended or think about gambling occasionally, but these behaviors are infrequent and don't cause problems.
Moderate-risk patterns include regularly spending more time or money than intended, some financial strain from gambling, occasional conflicts with loved ones, or using gambling to cope with stress. These patterns suggest gambling is beginning to interfere with normal functioning.
High-risk patterns involve frequent loss of control over time or money spent, regular financial problems from gambling, persistent relationship conflicts, significant emotional distress related to gambling, and patterns of secrecy or lying. Multiple life areas are affected.
Severe problem indicators include being unable to stop despite wanting to, severe financial crisis, damaged or broken relationships, intense preoccupation with gambling, gambling with money needed for essentials, and severe emotional distress. Gambling dominates life despite serious consequences.
What Your Results Mean for You
Understanding what your score indicates helps you take appropriate action.
If you scored low-risk (0-15 points), your gambling appears recreational. Maintain this by continuing to set clear limits on time and money, never chasing losses, keeping gambling as one of many leisure activities, and reassessing periodically. Stay aware so problems don't develop unnoticed.
If you scored moderate-risk (16-35 points), take action now to prevent escalation. Implement stricter limits on gambling frequency and amounts, identify triggers that lead to problematic sessions, take a break from gambling to reset patterns, and consider discussing concerns with someone you trust. This is the ideal stage for self-management interventions.
If you scored high-risk (36-60 points), professional support is advisable. Consider contacting a gambling helpline, exploring counseling or therapy specializing in gambling problems, joining a support group like Gamblers Anonymous, and implementing strong protective measures like self-exclusion. Problems at this level typically don't resolve without external support.
If you scored in the severe range (61-100 points), immediate professional help is crucial. Contact specialized treatment services, be honest with loved ones about the severity of the problem, and consider intensive treatment options if needed. Severe gambling problems respond well to professional intervention—seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Next Steps Based on Your Assessment
Once you understand your risk level, taking concrete action is essential.
Implementing self-control measures includes setting deposit limits on gambling accounts, using time reminders or alarms, blocking gambling apps or websites if needed, and keeping a gambling diary to track behavior. These tools help regain control.
Setting limits and boundaries works best when limits are specific, realistic, and non-negotiable. Decide in advance how much money and time you'll spend, never exceed these limits, and avoid gambling when stressed, intoxicated, or upset. Share limits with someone who can help you maintain accountability.
Seeking support and resources accelerates recovery. Free, confidential helplines provide immediate support, counselors offer professional guidance, support groups provide peer understanding, and self-exclusion programs create protective barriers. You don't have to navigate this alone.
When to seek professional help: If self-management efforts fail, problems continue despite your best efforts, gambling is causing serious consequences, you feel unable to stop, or you're experiencing severe emotional distress, professional help becomes essential. Specialized treatment is highly effective. For additional guidance, explore our articles on [early warning signs of problem gambling](#), [how gambling affects mood](#), and [signs of gambling addiction](#). Understanding [when gambling leads to financial stress](#) can also provide important context.