Gamblers Anonymous is not affiliated with any religious, political, social, or public organization. There are no dues or fees for membership. Gamblers Anonymous is 100 percent self-supporting through its own contributions. Its only purpose is to help people recover from a gambling problem.

What is Gamblers Anonymous?
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who meet on a regular basis to share their experience, strength, and hope in order to arrest their gambling and cope with other gambling-related problems. We have found that the sharing of truthful feelings and thoughts at meetings is an extremely powerful antidote in helping people to stop, and stay stopped from gambling. However, even if a person continues to wager or has periodic relapses, he or she is still encouraged to attend meetings.

What can I Expect at Meetings?
Meetings are attended by people who are recovering from a gambling problem and who wish to help others do the same. Each participant remains anonymous, revealing only his or her first name and last initial. Each group meets weekly at the same time and location.

At a typical meeting, a designated Chairperson will give a short talk on his or her gambling-related experiences and recovery. Others are called on to speak in the order they raise their hands. There is no interrupting or cross talk. Attendeess are encouraged to share their feelings and to keep the focus of their therapies on themselves and their own recoveries.

It is usually permissible for a spouse, significant other, family member, or friend to accompany the gambler to the first meeting. Those attending are strongly urged not to disclose what was said at the meeting or who was there. To find out about meetings in your area, please click on "Meeting List" on our Web site.

Signs you may have a gambling problem
Most compulsive gamblers have trouble admitting, even to themselves, that they have a gambling problem. This defense mechanism, often referred to as "denial," can keep a compulsive gambler stuck in the insidious gambling cycle for long periods of time. Here are some signs that you may have a gambling problem:

• A preoccupation with gambling; planning the day around gambling
  
• Spending more time or money time than had been planned or can be afforded
  
• Borrowing money to gamble
  
• Gambling again as soon as possible to recoup losses or increase winnings
  
• Gambling to escape unpleasant feelings or to cope with another problem
  
• Gambling larger amounts of money over time
  
• Gambling has negative effects on love relationship(s), family, school, or work
  
• A rush or heightened anxiety on the way to gamble
  
• Gambling causes depression, anger, anxiousness, fearfulness, or irritability
  
• Gambling interferes with thought process
  
• Being certain that the bet next will win
  
• A belief that money is the answer to solving all problems
  
• Gambling has caused a decrease in ambition or productivity
  
• Feeling remorse, guilt, or shame after gambling
  
• Recurring overwhelming urges to gamble
  
• Repeated failed attempts to stop or control gambling
  
• Hiding gambling from someone else
  
• Someone else has complained about your gambling

Spotting a gambling problem in someone else
Compulsive gambling has been called "The Invisible Addiction" because, unlike alcohol and other drug abuse, it has no easily detectable symptoms such as the odor of alcohol or marijuana, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech or impaired body movement.

Here are some signs that a person may have a gambling problem:

• Frequent talk about gambling-related experiences
  
• Bragging about gambling winnings; never mentioning or downplaying losses
  
• Frequent gambling trips
  
• Challenging other people to bet
  
• Organizing the office betting pool
  
• Excessive reading of the newspaper sports section
  
• Wearing clothes with gambling logos
  
• Evidence of gambling paraphernalia such as lottery tickets or race-track programs
  
• Borrowing money, repeated requests for pay advances, or other evidence of financial hardship
• Carrying around large amounts of cash
  
• Unaccounted for tardiness or absences
  
• Lying about gambling
  
• Excessive use of the telephone or Internet
  
• Mood swings that include being sad, angry, anxious, or withdrawn
  
• Argumentative; continually needing to be right