The Lie/Bet Questionnaire is a tool used primarily for screening gambling problems. It’s named after its two key questions, which are designed to be simple yet effective in identifying potential problem gambling. The rationale behind the questionnaire is that these two questions can quickly determine if someone’s gambling behavior might be problematic, warranting further assessment or intervention.
Here are the the two questions:
- “Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled?” (The “Lie” Question)
- This question targets the secretive or deceptive behaviors often associated with problem gambling, where individuals may lie to hide the extent of their gambling from friends, family, or employers
- “Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?” (The “Bet” Question)
- This question aims to identify the progressive nature of gambling addiction, where individuals often find themselves needing to gamble with larger sums of money to achieve the desired excitement or to chase losses.
The strength of the Lie/Bet Questionnaire lies in its simplicity and the ease with which it can be administered. It can be a useful first step in a more comprehensive assessment process. A positive response to either question suggests that the individual may benefit from a more detailed evaluation of their gambling behaviors.