The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is a set of nine questions designed to assess gambling behavior and estimate the extent of gambling problems. Recently, GambleAware commissioned an independent study by Ipsos UK to analyze the effectiveness of the PGSI in identifying and measuring gambling harms. The study utilized data from over 21,000 individuals participating in the 2020 and 2021 Annual GB Treatment and Support Survey, which is commissioned and published by GambleAware. The findings indicate that the PGSI scale can be used to estimate the potential risk of gambling harm and highlights a strong connection between higher PGSI scores and increased rates of psychological distress. The study also suggests that the PGSI can serve as a useful tool for integrating mental health interventions into treatment for individuals with high PGSI scores.
However, the study also identified some limitations with the PGSI scale. Certain questions within the scale appear to indicate a greater level of harm, such as borrowing money to fund gambling or experiencing financial problems due to gambling. On the other hand, questions related to guilt about gambling or chasing losses seem to indicate less harm. This raises questions about the equal weighting of each PGSI item when using the scale as a clinical or screening tool.
The study emphasizes that it is preferable to use the full PGSI questionnaire, consisting of all nine questions, whenever possible. The alternative version, with only three questions, should only be utilized when direct interaction with individuals is severely limited. The short-form PGSI may fail to identify certain cases of problem gambling, leading to an underestimation of the prevalence of problem gambling compared to the full version.
GambleAware’s director of evidence and insights, Haroon Chowdry, expressed reassurance in the overall effectiveness of the PGSI as an index for capturing different levels of gambling harm. However, there are opportunities for improvement in how the scale is used. Chowdry hopes that treatment services, clinicians, and policymakers will take note of the study’s recommendations to optimize the use of the PGSI in helping individuals experiencing gambling harms.
Ipsos UK research director Steven Ginnis suggests that while the PGSI scale can effectively estimate the potential risk of problem gambling among large groups, it may not serve as a diagnostic instrument for individuals or for screening purposes. Ginnis recommends that PGSI users and practitioners look beyond the broad classification groupings, as not all individuals within a PGSI classification are at the same potential risk of harm from gambling.
