Sogs Gambling Score
The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) is the standardised measure of at risk behaviour in problem gambling. It is a tool based on research on the common signs and consequences of problematic gambling. Assessing where your client is now can help you make informed decisions on how to assist them.
Level 1= SOGS-RA score of 1 Level 1 = Gambling less than daily and SOGS-RA score = 0, OR, less than weekly gambling and SOGS-RA score 1. Level 2 = SOGS-RA score of 2 or 3 Level 2 = At least weekly gambling and SOGS-RA score 1 OR gambling less than weekly and SOGS-RA score 2. Level 3 = SOGS-RA score of 4 Level 3= At least weekly gambling + SOGS-RA score 2 OR daily gambling. South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): This tool is developed by core symptoms assessing pathological gambling severity found in the DSM-III. This assessment tool comprises of twenty items, where scores between 1 and 4 indicate problematic gambling. There was about 50–50 chance of being pathological gamblers if the SOGS scores were between 8 and 10. However, the probability of individuals being pathological gamblers was about 0.30 if the SOGS scores were between 5 and 7. We proposed a SOGS cut score of 8 to screen for probable pathological gambling in Chinese societies.
- How does it work?
The PGSI quiz asks participants to self-assess their gambling behaviour over the past 12 months by scoring themselves against nine questions. The response options attract the following scores:
- never (score: 0)
- rarely (score: 1)
- sometimes (score: 1)
- often (score: 2)
- always (score: 3)
- The categories are:
- non-problem gambler
- low-risk gambler
- moderate-risk gambler
- problem gambler.
It is important to note that categorisation through the PGSI is not the same as clinical diagnosis, which requires assessment by a clinician.
Screens similar to the PGSI are also used to investigate other health issues, such as alcoholism and anxiety.
- What do the categories mean?
Non-problem gambler - Score: 0
- Non-problem gamblers gamble with no negative consequences.
Low-risk gambler - Score: 1–2
- Low-risk gamblers experience a low level of problems with few or no identified negative consequences. For example, they may very occasionally spend over their limit or feel guilty about their gambling.
Moderate-risk gambler - Score: 3–7
- Moderate-risk gamblers experience a moderate level of problems leading to some negative consequences. For example, they may sometimes spend more than they can afford, lose track of time or feel guilty about their gambling.
Problem gambler - Score: 8 or above
- Problem gamblers gamble with negative consequences and a possible loss of control. For example, they may often spend over their limit, gamble to win back money and feel stressed about their gambling.
The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) We translated 19 of the SOGS’s 20 items (Lesieur and Blume 1987) into Japanese. We omitted translating the item concerning the writing of bad checks to cover gambling debt, as it is not relevant in the Japanese context. The answers were scored on the basis of Lesieur and Blume’s method. Scores were determined by adding up the number of questions which show an “at risk” response. The SOGS is the most commonly used instrument to screen for pathological or problem gambling in the general population. The SOGS has 20 items that are scored 0 or 1, with a total score of 1-4 suggesting problem gambling and a score =5 suggesting pathological gambling.
Take your client through the PGSI quiz
You experience few, if any issues with your gambling.
Sogs Gambling Screening
You could be starting to experience some issues with your gambling.
Sogs Gambling Screen
You are experiencing issues with your gambling on a regular basis and it’s time to take action.