Gambling-Related Psychometric Scales
1. Gambling Attitudes and Beliefs Survey (GABS-15)
Instructions: Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following
statements about gambling.
Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree | 2 = Disagree | 3 = Neutral | 4 = Agree | 5 = Strongly Agree
Item # Statement
1 Gambling makes me feel really alive.
2 I’m usually pretty lucky when it comes to
gambling.
3 I have a “system” that helps me win.
4 When I win, it's because of skill; when I
lose, it's just bad luck.
5 If I keep playing, my luck will change and
I'll win.
6 Gambling is a good way to make money.
7 Sometimes I think I can feel a win coming.
8 I can stop gambling anytime I want.
9 I’m due for a big win.
10 If I lose, I should try to win my money back.
11 The excitement of gambling is almost as
rewarding as winning money.
12 There are certain things I can do to
increase my chances of winning.
13 Gambling provides an escape from stress.
14 When I gamble, I’m in control.
15 Gambling is a harmless form of
entertainment.
2. Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI)
Instructions: Thinking about the last 12 months, please indicate how often you have
experienced the following:
Scale: 0 = Never | 1 = Sometimes | 2 = Most of the time | 3 = Almost always
Item # Question
1 Have you bet more than you could really
afford to lose?
2 Have you needed to gamble with larger
amounts of money to get the same feeling
of excitement?
3 Have you gone back another day to try to
win back the money you lost?
4 Have you borrowed money or sold
anything to get money to gamble?
5 Have you felt that you might have a
problem with gambling?
6 Has gambling caused you any health
problems, including stress or anxiety?
7 Has your gambling caused any financial
problems for you or your household?
8 Have you felt guilty about the way you
gamble or what happens when you
gamble?
9 Has anyone criticized your betting or told
you that you had a gambling problem
(regardless of whether or not you thought
it was true)?
3. Susceptibility to Advertising Scale (Adapted)
Instructions: Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following
statements.
Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree | 2 = Disagree | 3 = Neutral | 4 = Agree | 5 = Strongly Agree
Item # Statement
1 We can depend on getting the truth in most
advertising.
2 Advertising’s aim is to inform the
consumer.
3 I believe advertising is informative.
4 Advertising is generally truthful.
5 Advertising is a reliable source of
information about the quality and
performance of products.
6 Advertising is truth well told.
7 In general, advertising presents a true
picture of the product being advertised.
8 I feel I’ve been accurately informed after
viewing most advertisements.
9 Most advertising provides consumers with
essential information.
Scoring Guides
1. GABS-15 Scoring Guide
Each item is rated from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). Total scores range from
15 to 75.
Higher scores indicate greater endorsement of irrational gambling beliefs.
Interpretation:
- 15–29: Low endorsement (healthy attitudes or non-gambler)
- 30–44: Moderate endorsement (possible risky beliefs)
- 45–59: High endorsement (likely distorted thinking)
- 60–75: Very high endorsement (possible problematic gambling)
2. PGSI Scoring Guide
Each item is scored from 0 (Never) to 3 (Almost always). Total scores range from 0 to 27.
Higher scores indicate greater severity of gambling problems.
Interpretation:
- 0: Non-problem gambling
- 1–2: Low-risk gambling
- 3–7: Moderate-risk gambling
- 8–27: Problem gambling
3. Susceptibility to Advertising Scale Scoring Guide
Each item is rated from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). Total scores range from
9 to 45.
Higher scores indicate greater susceptibility (i.e., lower skepticism) toward advertising.
This scale does not have standard cutoffs but can be used as a continuous measure of
advertising influence.
