Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline
Canadian screening tool
Thinking about the last 12 months…
1.Have you bet more than you could really afford to lose?
- Never=0
- Sometimes=1
- Most of the time=2
- Almost always=3
2. Still thinking about the last 12 month, have you needed to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement?
- Never=0
- Sometimes=1
- Most of the time=2
- Almost always=3
3. When you gambled, did you go back another day to try to win back the money you lost?
- Never=0
- Sometimes=1
- Most of the time=2
- Almost always=3
4. Have you borrowed money or sold anything to get money to gamble?
- Never=0
- Sometimes=1
- Most of the time=2
- Almost always=3
5. Have you felt that you might have a problem with gambling?
- Never=0
- Sometimes=1
- Most of the time=2
- Almost always=3
6. Has gambling caused you any health problems, including stress or anxiety?
- Never=0
- Sometimes=1
- Most of the time=2
- Almost always=3
7. Have people criticized your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem, regardless of whether or not you thought it was true?
- Never=0
- Sometimes=1
- Most of the time=2
- Almost always=3
8. Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?
- Never=0
- Sometimes=1
- Most of the time=2
- Almost always=3
9. Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?
- Never=0
- Sometimes=1
- Most of the time=2
- Almost always=3
Scoring Instructions for the CPGI
Total your score. The higher your score the greater the risk that your gambling is a problem. Score the following for each response:
- Never = 0
- Sometimes = 1
- Most of the time = 2
- Almost always = 3
Scores for the nine items are summed, and the results are interpreted as follows:
- 0 = Non-problem gambling.
- 1-2 = Low level of problems with few or no identified negative consequences.
- 3-7 = Moderate level of problems leading to some negative consequences.
- 8 or more = Problem gambling with negative consequences and a possible loss of control.
Non-problem gambling: Score of 0 on the CPGI.
This score means that there are no identified negative consequences of gambling. You may be gambling at low levels or not at all, or you may be gambling at social levels that are not problematic.
- Recommended Reading: Winning Ways to Keep Gambling Safe Low risk gambling: Score of 1 or 2 on the CPGI This score means that you are probably gambling at levels that are not leading to negative consequences. If you gamble frequently and/or have at least two of the vulnerability factors listed below, this score may indicate enough risk to be explored.
- Recommended Reading: Winning Ways to Keep Gambling Safe Moderate risk gambling: Score between 3 and 7 on the CPGI This score means that you are gambling at levels that may or may not be leading to negative consequences. This score indicates a level of risk that should be explored, particularly if you gamble frequently and/or have three or four of the vulnerability factors listed below.
- Recommended Reading: A Tool to Help Monitor your Gambling, Winning Ways to Keep Gambling Safe Problem gambling: Score between 8 and 27 on the CPGI This score means that you are gambling at levels that are leading to negative consequences. You may have lost control of your gambling behavior. The higher your score, the heavier your gambling, and the more vulnerability factors you have (see list below), the more severe your problem is likely to be. Examining your gambling behavior and its consequences is definitely encouraged.
- Recommended Reading: Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline Contact Information, Problem Gambling: The Issues, The Options, How to Quit or Reduce Your Gambling: A Self Help Workbook Some vulnerability factors
- Mistaken beliefs about the odds of winning at gambling
- A ‘big win’ early in the person’s gambling history
- A history of drug, alcohol, gambling or overspending problems
- A family history of drug, alcohol, gambling or overspending problems
- A history of mental health problems, particularly depression, stress or trauma
- Loneliness, chronic boredom or lack of leisure activities
- A habit of using gambling or substances to cope with negative feelings or events
- A tendency toward impulsive behavior
- Financial problems