GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS
PHONE: 1-855-222-5542
WEBSITE: https://gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each
other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. There are no dues or fees for Gamblers
Anonymous membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Gamblers Anonymous is not allied
with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither
endorses nor opposes any cause. Our primary purpose is to stop gambling and to help other compulsive gamblers do
the same.
Most of us have been unwilling to admit we were real problem gamblers. No one likes to think they are different from
their fellows. Therefore, it is not surprising that our gambling careers have been characterized by countless vain
attempts to prove we could gamble like other people. The idea that somehow, someday, we will control our gambling
is the great obsession of every compulsive gambler. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into
the gates of prison, insanity, or death.
We learned we had to concede fully to our innermost selves that we are compulsive gamblers. This is the first step in
our recovery. With reference to gambling, the delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to be
smashed. We have lost the ability to control our gambling. We know that no real compulsive gambler ever regains
control. All of us felt at times we were regaining control, but such intervals – usually brief -were inevitably followed by
still less control, which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced that gamblers of
our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period of time, we get worse, never better.
Therefore, in order to lead normal happy lives, we try to practice to the best of our ability, certain principles in our daily
affairs.