Frequently Asked Questions: Gamblers Anonymous

The only requirement for joining Gamblers Anonymous is a desire to stop gambling.

No. GA takes a day by day approach. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t gambled for an hour or you haven’t gambled for 20 years, everyone who has a desire to stop gambling is welcome. There is no hierarchy.

No, you don’t. GA meetings don’t require registration or booking. All you need to do is turn up at a location and time that suits you.

Gamblers Anonymous operates all over the world. This includes the US, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, Kenya, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Israel, Uganda and Korea.

Of course, if you arrive at a meeting in person, people might recognise your face. But efforts are gone to to ensure a level of anonymity. For example, people only introduce themselves using their first name.

Another major tenet of a GA meeting is what happens at the meeting, stays there. Nothing will be discussed or commented on outside those walls.

No one is made to do anything they feel uncomfortable with at a GA meeting. You can share as much or as little about your situation as you like.

Sometimes it takes people a while to get comfortable at Gamblers Anonymous meetings. It can be an overwhelming place to be. However, the more you go, the more likely you are to get comfortable and find support within your peer network to overcome your addiction.