A confidential self-assessment based on the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). 20 questions. Private results in under 3 minutes.
Based on the SOGS 100% Confidential All Gambling Types
Understanding Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling or problem gambling, is a behavioral addiction recognized in the DSM-5. It is not about how much money you lose or how often you gamble. It is about whether gambling has started to control your decisions, your finances, and your relationships.
Problem gambling can look like chasing losses on a sports betting app at 2am, hiding credit card statements from your partner, or feeling unable to stop even when you genuinely want to. It affects men across all income levels and all types of gambling. The good news is that it is treatable, and recovery is possible with the right support.
About this assessment: The questions below are based on the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), developed by Henry Lesieur, PhD and Sheila Blume, MD. The SOGS is the most widely used validated screening tool for gambling problems and is used by clinicians worldwide. This is a screening tool, not a clinical diagnosis. Your results are completely private and are not stored.
Gambling Problem Screening
Question 1 of 20
Question 1
Result
Recommended next steps
What Types of Gambling Can Become Addictive?
Any form of gambling can develop into a problem. The type of gambling does not determine whether an addiction exists. What matters is the pattern of behavior, loss of control, and impact on daily life. At Prescott House, we treat men dealing with all forms of compulsive gambling.
Sports Betting
Casino Gambling
Online Poker
Slot Machines
Daily Fantasy Sports
Stock Trading
Lottery and Scratch Cards
Horse Racing
Signs of a Gambling Problem
Gambling addiction rarely looks like what people expect. It often starts as entertainment or a way to unwind. Over time, the behavior shifts. Here are common warning signs that gambling has moved beyond your control.
Chasing losses to try to get back to even
Gambling with money you cannot afford to lose
Hiding gambling activity from people close to you
Borrowing money or selling things to fund gambling
Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back
Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, or depression
Repeated failed attempts to stop or cut down
Relationships or work suffering because of gambling
Sports Betting and the New Wave of Gambling Addiction
Since Arizona legalized mobile sports betting in 2021, access to gambling has changed dramatically. Apps like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM are designed to keep you engaged around the clock. The speed of mobile betting, combined with the illusion of skill in sports prediction, makes it especially difficult to recognize when a habit has crossed a line.
Many men who come to Prescott House for gambling treatment did not see themselves as gamblers in the traditional sense. They saw themselves as sports fans who liked to bet. The SOGS questions in this assessment are designed to cut through that distinction and focus on what actually matters: whether gambling is causing harm in your life.
What Is the South Oaks Gambling Screen?
The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) was developed by Henry Lesieur, PhD and Sheila Blume, MD at South Oaks Hospital in New York. It is the gold standard clinical screening tool for problem gambling and has been validated across thousands of studies. Our team at Prescott House uses it as an initial screening tool because it focuses on behaviors and consequences rather than how often or how much someone gambles.
This screening is not a replacement for a clinical evaluation. A score that falls in the moderate or high range means your responses are consistent with patterns that often benefit from professional support. Our admissions team can walk you through what that support looks like at no cost and with no obligation.
Gambling Addiction and Mental Health
Problem gambling rarely exists on its own. Research shows that compulsive gamblers have significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Many men gamble to manage difficult emotions rather than for the excitement of winning. When gambling becomes a primary coping mechanism, the losses on paper are often the smallest part of the damage. At Prescott House, we treat the whole person, including any underlying mental health issues that contribute to addictive behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
This assessment measures patterns of gambling behavior and their consequences, not the frequency or amount of gambling itself. It looks at things like chasing losses, hiding gambling from others, borrowing money to gamble, and whether gambling has affected your relationships or work. These are the behavioral markers that clinical research has identified as most predictive of a gambling problem.
Yes. Gambling disorder is classified in the DSM-5 as a behavioral addiction, placing it in the same category as substance use disorders. It shares the same core features as drug and alcohol addiction including tolerance, withdrawal symptoms like irritability and restlessness, loss of control, and continued behavior despite negative consequences. It is a medical condition, not a character flaw or lack of willpower.
Yes, and it is one of the fastest growing presentations we see at Prescott House. Mobile sports betting apps are specifically designed to maximize engagement and make it easy to deposit and place bets at any hour. The combination of instant access, the perception of skill, and the dopamine response to near-wins makes sports betting particularly prone to addictive patterns. If you find yourself checking odds constantly, chasing losses across multiple games, or betting money set aside for bills, those are warning signs worth taking seriously.
The label matters less than the impact. Recreational gambling becomes problematic when it creates consequences you cannot seem to stop despite wanting to. Someone who bets once a week but hides it from their spouse, borrows money to fund it, and spends much of their week preoccupied with gambling is showing signs of a problem. The SOGS questions focus on impact and control rather than frequency, which is why it remains the most clinically useful tool available.
Not necessarily. A higher score means your responses align with patterns that typically benefit from professional support. The right level of care depends on your individual situation. Prescott House offers a confidential intake process where a trained counselor will help you understand your options before you commit to anything. Residential treatment is one path, but intensive outpatient and other levels of care may be a better fit depending on your circumstances.
Prescott House offers a men's residential treatment program with a dedicated gambling track. Our counselors are Certified International Gambling Counselors (ICGC) who have personal experience with gambling addiction. Treatment typically runs around 45 days and includes individual therapy, group sessions, cognitive behavioral therapy, financial counseling, and family involvement. We address both the gambling behavior and any underlying issues like trauma, depression, or anxiety that are driving it.
Important: This screening tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a medical diagnosis. Results are private and are not stored. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call our admissions team at (866) 425-2470 or reach the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
