Gambling addiction test
Three questions of the Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS), developed at the Division on Addiction, a Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate. It covers any gambling for money: sports betting, online casinos, poker, slot machines, lotteries. You can answer for yourself or for a loved one.
Start the testAnswers are scored in your browser and not stored. We only learn your result if you choose to send a request.
How to read your result
The questions are about the last 12 months only. Each “yes” is a sign commonly seen in gambling disorder: restlessness and anxiety when trying to stop, secrecy, and debts that the family ends up covering.
A single “yes” means the screen is positive and the situation is worth discussing with a specialist. Gambling quickly becomes a financial disaster for the whole family, so early help matters.
The test does not make a diagnosis — a specialist does, in person.
Source: BBGS (Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen) — Gebauer, LaBrie, Shaffer, 2010. Division on Addiction, Cambridge Health Alliance (Harvard Medical School teaching affiliate); distributed free of charge. divisiononaddiction.org
Gambling addiction →
Online casinos, betting, debts and lies: how to recognise gambling addiction and protect your family.
Frequently asked questions
Is sports betting gambling addiction too?
Yes. Sports betting, online casinos, poker for money, slot machines and lotteries all work through the same mechanism. Gambling disorder is defined not by the type of game but by loss of control and its consequences.
Why only three questions?
The BBGS was designed to be short enough to complete in a minute. Research has shown that these three signs reliably identify people with gambling disorder. A full assessment is done by a specialist.
A family member keeps losing money and we pay off the debts. What should we do?
Do not pay off debts without a treatment plan — it is one of the most common family mistakes. Start with a family consultation: we work out how to protect the family's money and how to bring the person to treatment.
Is the test anonymous?
Yes. Answers are scored in your browser and are not sent anywhere. You leave your name and phone only if you choose to discuss the result.
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