If you’re searching GA meetings because gambling is escalating fast (sports betting, online casino, or any type), do not wait for “motivation.” A single meeting this week can reduce isolation and give you a concrete next step within hours.
Need help right now?
National Problem Gambling Helpline (US) — 24/7 Call: 1-800-522-4700 • Text: 800GAM • Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
Immediate danger: call 911. Emotional crisis or suicidal thoughts: call/text/chat 988.
Families can contact the helpline for guidance too; they do not need the gambler’s permission to ask for help.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is one of the most common peer support options for people who want to stop gambling. It is not a clinic and it is not “therapy,” but it can provide something many people urgently need: structure, community, and a way to get through urges and high-risk moments without gambling.
This guide is built for real-world questions: what happens in a meeting, what to say (or not say), what to do if you relapse, how GA fits with therapy, and how families can get their own support.
- What GA is (and what it is not)
- Who GA is for (sports betting and online gambling included)
- What to expect at your first meeting
- How to find GA meetings in the US
- How GA helps with urges and relapse risk
- GA vs therapy: how to use both
- Family support: what loved ones should do
- If you relapse: what to do next
- FAQs
What GA is (and what it is not)
GA is peer support. That means meetings are built around shared experience and mutual support rather than clinical treatment. Many people use GA as a foundation, and then add therapy or structured programs when needed.
GA is
- A supportive group for people who want to stop gambling
- A consistent routine that reduces isolation and shame
- A place to learn practical strategies from people who have been there
- A way to build accountability that does not depend on willpower alone
GA is not
- A medical or psychiatric service
- A substitute for emergency support in a crisis
- A guarantee that urges disappear instantly
- A place where you must “perform” or share personal details to belong
Helpful framing: GA is a stability tool. If gambling thrives in secrecy and isolation, GA disrupts that pattern by creating routine and connection.
Who GA is for (sports betting and online gambling included)
GA is for anyone who wants to stop gambling, regardless of the specific form. People attend for sports betting, online casino play, slots, poker, lottery, and more. You do not have to “hit rock bottom” to benefit.
Signs GA may be a good next step
- You repeatedly try to stop or cut back, but urges pull you back
- You chase losses or feel compelled to “win it back”
- You hide gambling (secret accounts, private browsing, deleted apps)
- Money problems are growing (missed bills, borrowing, credit card use, loans)
- Gambling is tied to stress relief, numbness, or escape
- You feel isolated, ashamed, or stuck in a cycle of promises and relapse
If you are unsure whether gambling has become a disorder, start with Gambling Addiction Help (US): Start Here and use the helpline for guidance.
What to expect at your first meeting
Most fear around GA comes from uncertainty: “Will I be judged?” “Will I be forced to talk?” “What if I know someone?” The practical reality is usually calmer than people imagine.
What typically happens
- You arrive (in person or online) and are welcomed
- There may be readings or an introduction explaining the format
- People share experiences and strategies; you can listen quietly
- Meetings generally end with simple next-step guidance and encouragement to return
Do you have to speak?
In many meetings, newcomers can simply listen. If you do share, keep it simple. You do not need to disclose every detail or every number.
If you want to say something: “Hi, I’m new. I’m here because gambling has become a problem, and I want to stop.”
If you want to stay minimal: “Hi, I’m new and I’d rather listen today.”
What to bring (mentally, not physically)
- Willingness to show up once, even if you feel uncomfortable
- A plan for after the meeting so you don’t “reward yourself” with gambling
- One small action you’ll take within 24 hours (remove an app, block access, call the helpline, schedule therapy)
Meeting-day safety rule: If your brain says “I’ll just place one bet before I go,” treat that as the addiction negotiating. Go first. Bet later is almost never “later.”
How to find GA meetings in the US
Use whichever path gets you to an actual meeting fastest. The biggest win is attendance, not perfect planning.
Option A: use a GA meeting finder
- Search for in-person meetings near your city
- Look for virtual meetings if you need immediate access
- Choose the soonest meeting you can attend, not the “best sounding” one
Option B: get guided referrals (recommended)
- Call/text/chat the National Problem Gambling Helpline
- Ask for GA meeting options plus therapy/program referrals in your state
- If you are a loved one, ask for family support resources too
If you want a broader map of options, see Treatment Options (US) and .
How GA helps with urges and relapse risk
GA is often effective because it changes the environment around gambling: fewer secrets, more accountability, and a repeatable routine. It also gives you access to people who understand the specific thought patterns gambling creates.
The three problems GA tends to address well
1) Isolation and secrecy
Gambling thrives in private. Meetings create a place where you can be honest without being punished. That alone can reduce “pressure-cooker” urges.
2) Urgency and chasing losses
Hearing how others respond to urges and losses can help you interrupt the “fix it right now” impulse. GA is most effective when you also add access friction (blocking, money controls).
3) Structure and routine
Gambling often fills time and emotional space. A meeting schedule fills some of that space with something recovery-oriented, especially during evenings, weekends, and sports events.
Accountability without “policing”
Peer accountability works differently than family policing. Many people respond better to support from people who have lived it, while family keeps boundaries focused on safety and finances.
Practical rule: The week you start GA, also reduce access. If gambling remains one click away, stress will test the plan quickly.
GA vs therapy: how to use both
GA and therapy are not competitors. They solve different problems. GA provides community and routine; therapy provides structured skills, individualized relapse prevention, and deeper work on triggers and co-occurring mental health issues.
| Support type | Strengths | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| GAPeer support | Routine, community, shared strategies, reduced isolation | Start immediately; attend weekly (or more) during high-risk periods |
| TherapyClinical | Personalized plan, skills practice, co-occurring issues, family sessions | Add for structure and relapse prevention; especially helpful when harm is escalating |
| Access controlsPractical | Reduces impulsive betting, protects finances | Implement in parallel with GA/therapy to reduce “easy relapse” |
If you want a clear therapy guide, see Therapy for Gambling Addiction.
Family support: what loved ones should do
If you are a spouse, parent, or loved one reading this, your role is not to become a detective. Your role is to protect essentials, set boundaries, and get support for yourself.
What families can do that actually helps
- Call the helpline for a family plan and local support resources
- Protect essentials (housing, utilities, food) and reduce access to shared money used for gambling
- Stop financial rescue (no covering losses, no new loans, no cash access without safeguards)
- Use calm, specific conversation scripts and one clear request (one meeting, one assessment)
- Get your own support (Gam-Anon, counseling, trusted allies)
Family one-liner: “I support recovery steps like GA and therapy. I will not fund gambling or cover losses. I will protect essential bills.”
Full family playbook: How to Help a Loved One With a Gambling Addiction.
If you relapse: what to do next
A relapse does not mean you failed as a person. It means the plan needs more structure, more support, and more friction around access. The most dangerous pattern is “slip → shame → secrecy → chasing losses.” Your job is to break that chain quickly.
24-hour relapse response plan
- Stop immediately: no “one more bet” and no chasing losses.
- Tell one safe person within 24 hours: sponsor, trusted friend, therapist, or helpline counselor.
- Increase friction for 7 days: tighten blocking, remove payment methods, reduce cash access, avoid triggers.
- Return to support: attend another meeting as soon as possible; schedule therapy if you don’t have it.
- Learn one lesson: identify the trigger and update the plan (high-risk time, emotion, environment, money access).
Chasing losses warning: If you lost money and your brain says “I can fix this,” treat that thought as the emergency. The fastest way to protect your future is to stop, step away, and follow the plan.
FAQs
What is Gamblers Anonymous (GA)?
GA is a peer support fellowship for people who want to stop gambling. Meetings provide structure and community. GA is not a clinical program, but many people use it alongside therapy and access controls.
Do I have to talk at my first meeting?
Often no. Many meetings allow newcomers to listen. If you share, you can keep it brief. The main goal is to attend and learn how others manage urges and high-risk moments.
Is GA only for severe cases?
No. People attend across a wide range of severity, including sports betting and online casino users who notice growing harm. If gambling is affecting finances, relationships, work, or mental health, a meeting can help.
What if I relapse after starting GA?
Respond quickly: stop, avoid chasing losses, contact support, attend another meeting, and increase access controls. Consider adding therapy for a more structured relapse prevention plan.
What should family members do?
Families should protect essentials, set boundaries around money and honesty, avoid financial rescue, and get their own support. The helpline can guide families even if the gambler refuses help.
Editorial and safety notes
This page provides educational information and does not replace professional care. If there is immediate danger, call 911. If you are in emotional crisis or having suicidal thoughts, contact 988. For problem gambling help and referrals, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline (call/text/chat) listed at the top of this page.