Canadian Problem Gambling Index Scoring

The Canadian Problem Gambling Index, in its final report, defines problem gambling as: Problem gambling is gambling behaviour that creates negative consequences for the gambler, others in his or her social network, or for the community. This nine-item screening tool can be self-administered or administered by a clinician. 18 It is an briefer version of the 31-item Canadian Problem Gambling Index. 13 It uses a four-point scale (“never” to “almost always”) to describe gambling behaviour over the previous 12 months. 19 An online version, called the Gambling Quiz, is. The questionnaire included the nine-question Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI), an internationally recognised and widely used instrument for measuring the prevalence of low-risk, moderate-risk and problem gambling in a population. Most states and territories in Australia have adopted the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index as the standard measure of problem gambling in their prevalence studies and research programs. However, notwithstanding this attempted standardisation, differences in sampling and recruitment methodologies and in some cases the modification of the scoring.

Overview

The Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) is a 31-item measure used for screening purposes to determine whether a person in the general population may have a gambling problem. The CPGI asks questions about an individual's gambling habits from four categories:

1. An individual's involvement in gambling;
2. Problem gambling behaviour;
3. The consequences they (or others) experience as a result of his/her problem gambling; and
4. Correlates of problem gambling.

The goal of the CPGI was to create a more meaningful measure of problem gambling to use in general population surveys that includes indicators of the social and environmental context. Indeed, the CPGI was tested and validated in a general population and was able to accurately measure who was a problem gambler and who was not.

Canadian Problem Gambling Index Scoring Chart

Key Points

The CPGI is used in Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, and Tasmania. Like any instrument, the CPGI is based on a specific definition of harmful gambling. Today many researchers have different opinions on the definition of harmful gambling. In order to fit these new definitions researchers modify, add, or remove questions, which may affect the reliability of the questionnaire. Regardless, the CPGI is still one of the most used instruments to measure harmful gambling in the general population.

Canadian Problem Gambling Index Scoring Calculator

References

McCready, J., & Adlaf, E. (2006). Performance and enhancement of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI): Report and recommendations. Prepared for: Inter-provincial Funding Partners for Research Into Problem Gambling.

Svetieva, E., & Walker, M. (2008). Inconsistency between concept and measurement: the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI). Journal of Gambling Issues, 157-173.