Gambling Disorder Test

Is gambling impacting your quality of life? Take our short quiz / questionnaire to find out.

Feel like you can’t stop gambling? We can help. Whether you’re addicted to online sportsbooks and casinos, or brick and mortar casinos, we will help you break the unhealthy pattern.

How gambling can impact your life

Some individuals who recognize their gambling may be getting out of control try to quit or cut down on their own, but find that this is more difficult than they thought. This can lead to further anxiety, stress, and hopelessness. They may feel guilty, ashamed and out of control.


This can create a vicious cycle of gambling to try to relieve pain and stress, the consequences of gambling leading to more pain and stress, and then gambling more to try to escape or solve the increased pain and stress.

Getting started only takes a minute.

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Why do people gamble and why can’t they stop?

People start gambling for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common:

  1. For entertainment and the thrill or good feeling that comes with winning.

  2. It’s a novel and fun activity to do socially with friends.

  3. The thrill or excitement associated with risky behavior.

  4. For an escape from the pressures or anxieties of everyday life.

  5. Reaping the financial rewards from a big win. Gambling is viewed as quick way to solve financial problems.

  6. It’s a way to deal with the feelings of boredom or loneliness.

  7. Some gamblers think they have advanced skills that others don’t have that gives them an edge.

Why people develop a problem gambling habit starts in the brain. When people gamble and win they feel euphoric. This euphoria comes from the reward center in the brain (Ventral Striatum) getting a rush of dopamine. The prefrontal cortex acts as a limitor that tells the brain to not endlessly chase the reward feeling.

Individuals who struggle with addictions tend have limitors that don’t function as well as the average person’s does. The more gambling becomes a habit, the more difficult it becomes to stop. Negative patterns start to become more and more apparent such as financial stress, anxiety, depression, and the need to experience escape to get away from reality and emotional turmoil.

How do I know I have a gambling problem?

Some individuals don’t feel like they have a problem at all, where others recognize the problem, yet struggle to get things back under control. Since everyone is different, we’ve created a 2 minute test that might indicate you have a gambling habit that this a problem. For family members who think there is a problem, but aren’t clear about the signs, we’ve created a separate test for you as well.

Test for Individuals

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Test for Family Members

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Watch: Demystifying Therapy: Guide to treatment and why it works.

Many individuals are afraid of seeking help, and what it all means when they do. What am I admitting to? Will it work? What if I am a lost cause? But therapy is truly about uncovering the root cause of a problem, and taking steps towards regaining control of your life.

Attend: Understanding and Overcoming Gambling Addiction Seminar (Starting Jan 4th, 2024)

Join us for a transformative 3-session online seminar designed for individuals, healthcare professionals, and families affected by gambling addiction. Registration is now open. 

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Learn: Who has the highest risk to develop a gambling problem

There are a number of cultural and societal factors that can increase someone’s risk for developing gambling disorder. While these may co-occur with mental and behavioral health issues, …

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