Two Question Gambling Screen

Problem and compulsive gambling has grown to be a significant issue for residents in Minnesota. Gambling problems are often found co-occurring with mental health, chemical dependency, family, work, legal and financial problems. The following two questions aid interviewers in identifying gambling problems. No single question is adequate in capturing the majority of those experiencing gambling problems. Answering "yes" to one or both of these questions is suggestive of a problem deserving further assessment.

2-Question Screening Tool^*

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 gamble?

For more information on resources for problem gambling please contact the Minnesota Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-333-HOPE or call the Minnesota Department of Human Services Problem Gambling Program at 651-582-1819.

^*Reproduced with permission of authors and publisher from: Johnson, E.E., Hamer, R., Nora, R.M., Tan, B., Eisenstein, N., and Engelhart, C. The Lie/Bet Questionnaire for screening pathological gamblers. Psychological Reports, 1997, 80, 83-88.
©Psychological Reports 1997