Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline

Lie-bet tool to rule out pathological gambling

The Lie-Bet tool (Johnson et al., 1988) has been deemed valid and reliable for ruling out pathological gambling behaviors. The Lie-Bet’s two questions consistently differentiate between pathological gambling and non-problem gambling and are useful in screening to determine whether a longer tool (e.g., SOGS, DSM-IV) should be used in diagnostics.

Lie-Bet screening instrument:

1. Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?
2. Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled?