In an effort to weed out people with gambling addiction problems, the online gambling industry is now offering “scientifically developed” tests at online poker and casino sites. The tests are designed to show users whether they have a gambling problem and represent the first effort of its kind by the industry to self-regulate. With the astonishing number of online gambling websites available, the self-regulation attempt is a welcome addition.

The chief executive officer of eCogra, the industry body that has set up the regulations, Andrew Beveridge, has stated that, since the questionnaire is designed to protect the customer, answering the questions asked is strictly voluntary and that customers that choose not to take the survey would not be banned from any gambling sites.

eCogra, which stands for eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance, represents over half of the online gaming industry, according to Beveridge. “You can't just go out and tell someone they have a gambling problem," he said. Adding that “the person has to recognize that themselves”.

The gambling sites are supposed to encourage users to answer the question as well as train staff to recognize answers that are indicative of a gambling problem. The survey, which was developed at the University of Chicago, asks such questions as “on one or more of the times when you tried to stop, cut down or control your gambling, were you restless or irritable?" According to the University, a score of five or higher on the questionnaire is consistent with signs of a pathological gambler. Teresa Tunstall, head of development at addiction helpline, Gamcare, pointed out, however that "once people have got to that stage they are in denial.” "We need to raise awareness from a younger age," Tunstall added.

As a gambling addiction helpline, one of GamCare’s tasks is to carry out research into gambling addiction. Some of the research done found that the average gambling debt admitted to by callers using the service was £25,000. Furthermore, according to Tunstall, the number of online gamblers is growing, which is particularly troublesome since online gambling is an anonymous activity. "At least if you're going out you have to get dressed and go to the betting shop, but with this you don't even have to get out of bed," she said. "In a casino someone can tap you on the shoulder and say 'let's go home' but this is just so isolated."

Finally, Tunstall pointed out that one of the objectives of eCOGRA was to prevent underage gambling, but that most of the staff at online gambling sites rarely picked up on website visitors that were lying about their age. This is obviously a strong indication that the survey is not sufficient to keep problem or underage gamblers from playing.