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Problem Gambling

Problem Gambling Self-Assessment Tool

What you need to know

  • The following Self-Assessment is based on the DSM-IV criteria published by the American Psychological Association
  • An estimated 2.0% percent of Massachusetts residents have a gambling problem
  • Resources are available for those in Massachusetts with a gambling problem

Self-assessment

The brief ten-question self-assessment can help you determine if you could benefit from further help with your gambling. Your responses will not be seen or collected.

  • 1. Have there ever been periods lasting two weeks or longer when you spent a lot of time thinking about your gambling experiences, planning out future gambling ventures or bets, or thinking about ways of getting money to gamble with?*
  • Have there ever been periods when you needed to gamble with increasing amounts of money or with larger bets than before in order to get the same feeling of excitement?
  • Have you ever felt restless or irritable when trying to stop, cut down, or control your gambling?*
  • Have you tried and not succeeded in stopping, cutting down, or controlling your gambling three or more times in your life?
  • Have you ever gambled to escape from personal problems, or to relieve uncomfortable feelings such as guilt, anxiety, helplessness, or depression?
  • Has there ever been a period when, if you lost money gambling one day, you would often return another day to get even?
  • Have you lied to family members, friends, or others about how much you gamble, and/or about how much money you lost on gambling, on at least three occasions?
  • Have you ever written a bad check or taken money that didn’t belong to you from family members, friends, or anyone else in order to pay for your gambling?
  • Has your gambling ever caused serious or repeated problems in your relationships with any of your family members or friends? Or, has your gambling ever caused you problems at work or your studies?
  • Have you ever needed to ask family members, friends, a lending institution, or anyone else to loan you money or otherwise bail you out of a desperate money situation that was largely caused by your gambling?
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Content

Voluntary Self-Exclusion

The Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program (VSE) allows participants to voluntarily exclude themselves from the gaming floor of all Massachusetts gaming venues for a pre-determined length of time LEARN MORE

24-hour helpline

Confidential help is available in any language, 24 hours a day, if you believe you or someone you know may have a problem with gambling. Call 800.426.1234.
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  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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