Guide

Your first
GA meeting.

Walking into a room of strangers to talk about gambling can feel impossible. Most people who go say the first five minutes were the hardest part. Here's what usually happens, so there are fewer surprises.

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What Gamblers Anonymous is

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a free, worldwide fellowship of people helping each other stop gambling. There are no fees, no sign-up, and nobody needs your surname. The only requirement to join is a desire to stop gambling. It follows a twelve-step programme, but you don't need to know anything about that to go.

Finding a meeting

  • GA's websites list meetings by area: gamblersanonymous.org (US and international) and gamblersanonymous.org.uk (UK and Ireland).
  • Many groups also meet online or by phone, which can be an easier first step.
  • Meetings vary. If one doesn't feel right, trying another is normal.

What usually happens

  1. Arriving. Someone will often say hello and might ask if it's your first time. You can just say yes.
  2. Opening. The meeting is usually led by a member, with a short reading to start.
  3. Sharing. Members take turns talking about their gambling and how they're doing. Others listen without interrupting or giving advice.
  4. Your turn. You can share, or simply say your first name and that you'd like to listen. Both are completely fine.
  5. After. People often stay for a chat. Some swap numbers so there's someone to call when an urge hits.

Things people worry about

  • "I'll have to speak." You don't. Listening is a full part of it.
  • "Someone will recognise me." Anonymity is central: what's said in the room stays there. And anyone you recognise is there for the same reason.
  • "My gambling isn't bad enough." If you want to stop, you belong there.
  • "It's religious." The steps mention a "higher power", which members interpret in their own way, including not religiously at all.

For families and partners: Gam-Anon

If someone you love gambles, Gam-Anon runs meetings for you, separately from GA. You don't need the person gambling to be in recovery to go. More on helping someone who gambles.

If GA isn't for you

Twelve-step groups suit lots of people, not everyone. SMART Recovery offers free meetings built on practical tools, and the forums run by Gambling Therapy and GamCare are available any time of day. A helpline can also point you to free counselling near you. Helplines by country.

Between meetings

Meetings work best alongside shutting the doors: self-exclusion, a bank gambling block and a blocker on your phone.

Sources and further help

Updated 24 October 2026. Checked against the sources above. How we write these guides. You vs The House is a support tool, not medical advice. If you're struggling, a helpline or your doctor can help.

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