Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)

A short nine-item questionnaire that screens for the risk of gambling-related problems — a screening tool, not a diagnosis.

Definition

The Problem Gambling Severity Index is a widely used self-report screening instrument drawn from the Canadian Problem Gambling Index. It asks nine questions about gambling behaviour and consequences over a set period (typically the past 12 months), each scored from 0 ('never') to 3 ('almost always'), giving a total from 0 to 27. Higher totals indicate greater risk. It is designed to estimate risk in populations and to flag individuals who may benefit from support — it is not a clinical diagnosis, and a high score does not by itself mean a person has a gambling disorder. It is popular because it is brief, validated across many surveys, and produces comparable risk categories. It is best used as a conversation-starter and signposting aid rather than a verdict.

Worked example

A national health survey includes the nine PGSI questions so researchers can estimate what proportion of the adult population falls into low-, moderate-, or higher-risk categories, without diagnosing any individual.

Why it matters

Learners see how risk is measured in a structured, non-stigmatising way. Professionals in research, operations, and support use PGSI categories to segment risk and prioritise outreach — but must communicate clearly that it screens rather than diagnoses.

Related

Note: Commonly cited score bands are 0 (no risk), 1–2 (low risk), 3–7 (moderate risk), and 8+ (higher-risk / problem gambling), but exact thresholds, labels, and the recall period can vary between studies and are subject to ongoing revision.