Look at the impact, not only the amount
The National Council on Problem Gambling describes problem gambling in terms of harm to a person or family and disruption to everyday life. Its warning signs include persistent thoughts about gambling, increasing bets, trying to recover losses through more gambling, and difficulty when attempting to cut down.
The NHS gambling-help page also asks about unaffordable betting, borrowing to gamble, household financial problems and effects on wellbeing. These are areas for reflection and discussion; noticing one does not let this website determine a diagnosis.
Use an official assessment in its original context
If you want a structured set of questions, follow the assessment information on the NHS page and read its instructions and explanation together. We have not shortened its questionnaire, changed its scoring, or created a replacement quiz.
A score should not be treated as permission to disregard a concern, and this article cannot interpret a result for you. A qualified professional or gambling support service can explain what further assessment may involve. The NHS service links are specific to the United Kingdom; U.S. readers can start with the NCPG helpline information.
Prepare the questions you want answered
If it helps you approach a conversation, make a private note of what prompted your concern. You could describe a recent event, a decision you found difficult to keep, or a question about the effect on your everyday life. A few concrete examples can be easier to explain than trying to summarize everything at once.
You can also ask the service practical questions: whether it works with people in your area, what information it requests, how it handles confidentiality, and whether it can suggest other forms of support. You do not need to post personal details in a public comment or send them to an app’s marketing account.
Understand what a tracker can tell you
A gambling-free streak records time from a chosen starting point. A spending calculator estimates totals from entered amounts. Neither measures the full impact of gambling or establishes whether someone has a gambling disorder.
UrgeShield offers streak tracking, savings estimates and selected app and website blocking on iPhone. Those functions can record or restrict specific things; they do not provide a clinical assessment or guarantee recovery. Our gambling loss calculator likewise cannot verify account balances, losses or future savings.
Find the next relevant resource
For device settings, see how to block gambling sites on iPhone. For a support and self-exclusion checklist, see practical next steps for stopping sports betting. If your concern is about another person, the friends and family guide includes resources for you too.