3/24/2026
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is an online or in-person meeting where those experiencing gambling harm can get together, talk, share or just listen.
If you’ve decided you want to try a GA meeting, it might feel a bit daunting. But remember, everyone there will be in the same situation as you.
You may have a picture in your mind of a stereotypical attendee of a GA meeting, but the truth is, they are for everyone of all genders, ages and backgrounds. You will likely find a good mix of people in every meeting, so you’ll find someone who you can relate to.
There is no need to make an appointment for a meeting, just turn up either virtually or in person whenever you feel ready.
If you want to join and just listen, that's okay too.
Why Should I Attend Gamblers Anonymous?
Only you can decide if and when you are ready to attend your first GA. If you feel that your gambling has become harmful, talking to other like-minded people can be helpful.
How do I know if my gambling has become harmful?
- You are gambling more than you can afford to lose.
- Gambling is often the only thing you think about, and you have little interest in other things.
- It’s negatively affecting relationships with your partner, family and friends.
- It is affecting your work.
- You have done or considered doing something illegal to keep up with your gambling.
- Lying to others to conceal your gambling.
- Feeling stressed, overwhelmed and losing sleep over gambling.
Where is Gamblers Anonymous held?
GA meetings can be held both online and in person.
In Person
Most towns and cities will have a local GA meeting, which you can attend; these are often held at local church halls or community centres. For some, it's easier to open up in person, and it means you don’t need to worry about being overheard at home.
Online
There are also online meetings running throughout the day, which you can log into. These are usually run via Teams or Google Meet. These often have a location attached, but you don’t need to be from the town or even the country that's in the meeting name. There are often participants from different locations.
Online meetings can be really helpful if you don’t feel comfortable showing your face and would just like to listen. This can give you more power and confidence to share in the future.
What to expect at your first Gamblers Anonymous meeting?
There are misconceptions about the session being stuffy and uncomfortable. The reality is that most sessions have plenty of laughs amidst the emotional moments, and a lot of people build a really strong rapport with their group.
A Gamblers Anonymous meeting can take several forms, but at any meeting you’ll find:
- Participants talking about gambling
- How they took action to deal with this
- Other struggles in their life
- Triggers and challenges
- Strategies they find helpful
- How they are living their lives today
There may also be readings from GA literature.
It doesn’t matter if you are a year clean of gambling or an hour, everyone is welcome.
Is Gamblers Anonymous an ongoing commitment?
Not at all. If you attend a GA meeting and it isn’t for you, that's totally fine.
How much does Gamblers Anonymous Cost?
GA is completely free to attend.
How can Gamblers Anonymous help me?
Addiction can be a very lonely place, and GA is somewhere you can get together and share your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Everyone attending the meetings can relate to each other and are there to listen and support you.
Many people attending find that they make friends and connections for life, and build a support system of people that they can also speak to outside of meetings.
Do I have to be religious to attend Gamblers Anonymous?
GA is not a religious organisation.
Different types of meetings in the UK
There are different kinds of meetings, and some meetings are run differently from others. You may find that a topic is chosen that everybody speaks on, but there’s no pressure to stick to it. The meeting is a place to share whatever you need to.
Examples of meeting types:
Main Meetings
- Chat and share with other like-minded people. There are no counsellors or professionals, just those experiencing gambling harm.
Mixed Meetings
- These meetings are the same as the main meetings, but family members and friends are welcome to join.
Newcomers Meetings
- These meetings are ideal if you are new to stopping gambling. They are the same as main meetings, but more focused towards newcomers.
Step Meetings
- These meetings are better-suited for those who have abstained from gambling for some time. They are focused on the Twelve Steps of Recovery.
Women-preferred Meetings
- Any compulsive gambler may attend these meetings, but they are more suitable for women.
LGBTQ+ Meetings
- Any compulsive gambler may attend these meetings, but they are more suitable for the LGBTQ+ community.
Open Meetings
- Most Groups hold at least one open meeting each year. These are where compulsive gamblers gather with their friends and families to receive recognition for abstaining from gambling for a number of years.
Finding your group
Don’t feel disheartened if the first group you attend doesn’t feel like it fits. It can take a bit of time to find the right group for you.
Dan at Addicted Recovery shares more about his journey finding the right group:
I went into recovery assuming all self-help groups were basically the same — that once you’d been to one, you’d seen them all. I was wrong. I committed to 90 meetings in 90 days after coming out of a 20-year gambling addiction that had wrecked my life and hurt the people around me.
At first, the meetings simply helped me stay stopped, but they felt mechanical and distant; I didn’t feel particularly seen or understood, and I didn’t connect with most of the people there. Then a few meetings changed everything.
Hearing someone share openly and vulnerably about their experience made me realise how powerful the right room can be. The energy, the honesty, even the banter created a sense of safety and belonging I hadn’t felt before. Over time, I found three meetings that truly resonated with me, and those became more than just weekly check-ins - they became a community.
We talk every day, support each other through life’s challenges, and understand each other in ways few others can, because we’ve lived the same experiences. What started as a desperate attempt to stop gambling turned into something much bigger: a tribe, a support system, and a place where I genuinely belong.
Another long-term female member of GA said:
Four years ago, I joined my first Gamblers Anonymous meeting online, terrified. I had an idea of what it would be like — and I was completely wrong.
Today, there are more women and more diverse voices in the room than ever. It feels less like a meeting and more like a family.
I now even run a group. Recovery gave me community, confidence, and purpose.
If you’re nervous about joining your first meeting, you’re not alone. That scary first step might just change everything.
How long should I attend Gamblers Anonymous?
How long someone should attend is totally personal to them. Some may only want to attend a few, whilst others continue to attend long after they last gambled.
Some find they have a regular meeting they attend, but also jump into other meetings if they are going through a challenging time and need someone to talk to.
One thing remains the same throughout all meetings. This is an open and welcoming space where you can share without feeling judged. You will find people attending warm, inspiring and welcoming. Everyone wants the same goal.
No single activity is a quick fix to stop gambling, but GA provides a place where you can connect with others and learn to live without gambling, one day at a time.
