Comprehensive 25-Question Self-Assessment
If you’re wondering whether your relationship with gambling has become a problem, this assessment is a good place to start. Based on clinically recognized screening tools — including the DSM-5 and the South Oaks Gambling Screen — it’s designed to help you take an honest look at your habits. Answer “Yes” or “No” to each question based on the past 12 months.
The Assessment Questions.
- Do you find yourself constantly reliving past gambling experiences or planning your next bet?
- Have you ever felt the need to wager more money, often, to get the same rush?
- Do you feel restless, irritable, or anxious when you try to cut back or stop?
- Do you use gambling as a way to escape feelings of helplessness, guilt, or depression?
- After losing money, do you often go back another day to try to “get even” (chasing losses)?
- Have you ever lied to people close to you to hide how much you gamble?
- Have you committed any illegal acts — such as fraud, theft, or forgery — to fund your gambling?
- Have you put a significant relationship, job, or career opportunity at risk or lost one because of gambling?
- Have you relied on someone else to bail you out of a financial crisis caused by gambling?
- Do you regularly gamble longer than you originally planned?
- Do you find it hard to walk away once you’ve started, even when you’re winning?
- Have you ever gambled to the point where you didn’t have money left for basic necessities like rent or groceries?
- Do you experience a “trance-like” state or lose track of time while gambling?
- Do you celebrate good news or a professional win by going to gamble?
- Do you feel the urge to gamble when you’re bored or lonely?
- Have you ever considered self-harm or had thoughts of suicide because of gambling losses?
- Do you hide betting apps or clear your browser history to keep family members from finding out?
- Have you ever taken out a high-interest loan or payday loan to fund a deposit?
- Has your work performance or focus suffered because you’re checking scores or odds during the day?
- Have you ever felt invincible or like you had a “special edge” during a winning streak?
- Do you frequently have trouble sleeping because you’re replaying bets in your head?
- Have friends or family expressed concern about your gambling, even if you brushed it off?
- Have you ever taken money from a joint savings account or a child’s college fund to gamble?
- Do you feel empty or depressed right after you stop playing?
- Deep down, do you feel like you’ve lost control over your urge to gamble?
Evaluating Your Results: Next Steps
If you answered “Yes” to 1–4 questions, you’re in a caution zone. We recommend setting firm deposit limits right away and taking a 30-day cooling-off break to reset.
When the Answer Is “Stop”
If you answered “Yes” to 5 or more questions, gambling has likely crossed the line from entertainment into a behavioral compulsion. At this point, the most responsible step isn’t to “moderate” — it’s to stop entirely.
Here’s why stopping now makes sense:
- The chasing cycle: At this stage, your brain is conditioned to chase losses, making disciplined play nearly impossible.
- Diminishing returns: The emotional and financial toll now outweighs any entertainment value.
- Protecting what matters: Stopping now limits further damage to your relationships, career, and financial standing.
Action Plan for Recovery
- Self-exclude immediately. Use the state-specific links in our directory to legally ban yourself from all licensed platforms.
- Create a financial barrier. Hand over control of your finances to a trusted partner or family member for at least 90 days.
- Install blocking software. Download BetBlocker or Gamban on all your devices.
- Get professional support. Call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER to speak with a specialist today.
Editorial Note: Recognizing that gambling is no longer working for you isn’t a failure of willpower — it’s a proactive decision to take back control of your life. We support you in choosing your well-being first.