Is My Child's Gambling a Problem? Self-assessments to help you find out.
If you’re worried your child might have a gambling problem, an assessment can help you figure out where things stand. These aren’t pass/fail tests—they’re just tools to help you see the bigger picture.
Fair warning: your child might not answer honestly at first, or at all. That’s pretty common with gambling (and honestly, with a lot of things during these years). But even if they brush it off, you’ve planted a seed. You’ve shown them you’re paying attention and that you care.
Here are three options:
- Gam-Anon Questions – A quick set of questions to help you assess whether gambling might be becoming a problem for your child
- NCPG Assessment (NODS-SA) – Your child can take this one online through the National Council on Problem Gambling
- Emerging Adult Gambling Screen (EAGS®) – Developed at East Carolina University, this one’s specifically designed for young adults 18-24 who’ve gambled in the past year
Try to keep the conversation open, not accusatory. The goal isn’t to catch them in something—it’s to understand what’s going on so you can help.
If the results confirm what you suspected, you’re not alone—and there are clear next steps. First Steps Guide ➤
Parents Standing Together provides peer support only – not therapy, medical care, counseling, or legal advice. No professional services or treatment are offered. For any medical, legal, financial, or mental health concerns, please consult a qualified professional. If you or your child is in crisis, call 988 and seek professional help immediately.