Gambling severity scale explained

What the PGSI actually measures

The PGSI is a 9-item questionnaire asking about gambling behaviour and its consequences in the past 12 months. Each item is scored 0 to 3 (never / sometimes / most of the time / almost always), giving a total score between 0 and 27.

The questions cover chasing losses, increasing stakes to get the same feeling, borrowing money to gamble, health and financial consequences, criticism from others and feelings of guilt. The scale is designed for the general adult population — it is not a clinical diagnostic tool, but it is the best-validated brief screening tool currently in use.

The four PGSI bands

Total PGSI scores are usually grouped into four bands. The bands are deliberately rough — they are meant to guide what to do next, not to define a person.

• Score 0 — Non-problem gambling. No evidence in the past 12 months that gambling has caused harm.
• Score 1–2 — Low-level risk. Gambling has caused little or no harm so far, but some patterns are present that are worth keeping an eye on.
• Score 3–7 — Moderate risk. Gambling has caused some negative consequences and is in territory associated with developing problems.
• Score 8 or more — Problem gambling. Gambling is causing meaningful negative consequences and is likely to need support to change.

What 'non-problem' actually means

A score of zero on the PGSI does not mean gambling is risk-free for you. It means that, on the specific patterns the PGSI is sensitive to, there is no evidence of harm in the last 12 months. People at this level still benefit from knowing the helpline number, setting limits in advance and taking the check again every year or so.

What 'low risk' usually looks like

People in the 1–2 band typically recognise some early patterns — occasional chasing, occasional guilt — without significant consequences. The most useful action at this level is usually structural: setting deposit limits, agreeing budget rules with yourself, and noticing any drift upwards in stakes or frequency.

What 'moderate risk' usually looks like

The 3–7 band is where most people who eventually develop gambling problems can be identified earliest. There are real consequences — financial, emotional or relational — even if they have not become severe. Self-management alone is sometimes enough at this level; more often, a single conversation with a helpline or counsellor changes how the next year unfolds.

What 'problem gambling' usually looks like

A score of 8 or above is consistent with significant gambling harm. People at this level are usually carrying real financial pressure, real impact on relationships and real emotional cost. The honest research evidence is that self-management alone is rarely enough at this level — combining practical blocks with one-to-one support tends to work much better than either on its own.

What a high score does not mean

A high PGSI score is not a diagnosis of gambling disorder, and it is not a verdict on you as a person. It is a signal that the patterns in your last 12 months look like patterns that, in the research, are associated with serious harm.

Many people in Ireland have scored high, taken one structured step — a helpline call, a peer meeting, a counsellor — and seen their score fall the next time they took the check. The score moves.

How to take the PGSI now

The free private check on this site is the PGSI. It is anonymous, takes about three minutes and is not stored. The result page explains your band and suggests practical next steps. The link is below.