Honest mirror quiz: nine private questions about your gambling

Nobody is watching, nothing is saved, and the only person you need to be honest with is you.

Last checked October 2026Adults onlyWritten by Anderson Alves, editor in chief

The short version

This private nine-question quiz helps you notice warning signs of risky gambling, such as chasing losses, hiding play or borrowing to keep going. It is not a diagnosis. If several statements fit, free and confidential help is available in Canada, including ConnexOntario and Gambling Support BC.

Habits sneak up like the tide. You do not notice the water rising until it reaches your ankles. A short pause to look in the mirror can reveal patterns that day-to-day life hides. A good place to start is our best online casinos in Canada.

Nothing you tick is recorded or sent. And if you are below the legal gambling age of your province, please stay away from casinos.

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Honest mirror quiz

Think about the last 12 months. Nothing is saved or sent.

Have you spent more money or time gambling than you meant to? Have you tried to cut down or stop and found it hard? Do you play again to recover what you lost in an earlier session? Have you kept the amount you play a secret, or made it sound smaller? Have you let bills or essentials slide because of gambling? Have you borrowed money or sold belongings to keep playing? Do you feel restless, guilty or irritable when you cannot play, or after you do? Do you gamble to get away from stress, worry or a low mood? Has gambling touched your job, studies or close relationships?

Tick the statements that fit you, then press Show my answers.

Which signs deserve attention?

Spending more money or time than you meant to.
Playing again to recover what you lost earlier.
Keeping the amount a secret, or shrinking it when asked.
Missing bills or borrowing to carry on.
Feeling restless, guilty or irritable when you cannot play.
Using the game to escape stress or a low mood.

One sign is not a verdict. Several together are a nudge to act.

Who can you call?

Free, confidential services reach across the country:

ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600, a 24-hour line for gambling, mental health and addiction information in Ontario.
Gambling Support BC: 1-888-795-6111, free and available around the clock in British Columbia.
Responsible Gambling Council: information and a treatment finder for Canada.
Gamblers Anonymous: meetings run by people with lived experience.
In Quebec, the provincial service Jeu : aide et référence. Confirm the current number on its website.

In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

What can you change today?

Set deposit, loss and time limits, step away for a while, or use self-exclusion. The guide on brakes, breaks and self-exclusion describes each option, including the province-wide programme in Ontario. Tell someone you trust, and consider blocking gambling sites on your devices.

How is this different from a clinical test?

Professionals use validated instruments such as the Problem Gambling Severity Index, with a scoring method behind them. This list is an informal reflection tool written for this site and cannot replace a conversation with a specialist. More support lives on the responsible gambling page.

Adults only: 19+ in most provinces, 18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Gambling costs money and can become a problem. Keep to a budget you set in advance. We write for information only; nothing here is legal or financial advice.

Questions readers ask us

Is the quiz really private?

Yes. Answers stay in your browser, travel nowhere and disappear when you close the page. If you share the device with others, use a private window anyway. The quiz never asks for your name, email or any personal detail, so there is nothing for anyone to look up.

Does a high count mean addiction?

No. The quiz diagnoses nothing. It simply counts warning signs that you recognise in yourself. A higher count is a prompt to speak with a professional or a support line and to consider limits or a pause. A low count is no guarantee, so keep watching your habits.

Can I get help without telling my family?

Yes. Lines such as ConnexOntario and Gambling Support BC are confidential, and you do not need to give your name. Counsellors can explain treatment and self-exclusion options and help you decide whether, when and how to talk to the people close to you.