Gamblers Anonymous: The Leading US Trust Organization
Millions of people struggle with gambling addiction, but recovery is possible with the right support. Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is one of the world’s best-known peer-support organizations, helping people overcome compulsive gambling through free meetings, shared experiences, and its proven Twelve-Step recovery program. Founded in 1957, GA has grown into a global fellowship that offers a safe, confidential environment where members can begin rebuilding their lives—one day at a time.
Contents
- What Is Gamblers Anonymous?
- How Does Gamblers Anonymous Work? History and Mission
- How Can It Help with Problematic Gambling: Key Activities
- Resources and Services
- How Gamblers Anonymous Pays for Itself
- Local Gamblers Anonymous Groups and Meetings
- Who Benefits from This Organization?
- Useful Links and Contacts
- Testimonials and Success Stories
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Gamblers Anonymous free to join?
- Do I have to speak at my first meeting?
- Can I remain anonymous?
- Does Gamblers Anonymous provide professional therapy?
- Are online Gamblers Anonymous meetings available?
- Who can attend Gamblers Anonymous?
- How is Gamblers Anonymous funded?
- What is the Life-Line Bulletin?
- What is the Unity Program?
- References
- What Is Gamblers Anonymous?
- How Does Gamblers Anonymous Work? History and Mission
- How Can It Help with Problematic Gambling: Key Activities
- Resources and Services
- How Gamblers Anonymous Pays for Itself
- Local Gamblers Anonymous Groups and Meetings
- Who Benefits from This Organization?
- Useful Links and Contacts
- Testimonials and Success Stories
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Gamblers Anonymous free to join?
- Do I have to speak at my first meeting?
- Can I remain anonymous?
- Does Gamblers Anonymous provide professional therapy?
- Are online Gamblers Anonymous meetings available?
- Who can attend Gamblers Anonymous?
- How is Gamblers Anonymous funded?
- What is the Life-Line Bulletin?
- What is the Unity Program?
- References
What Is Gamblers Anonymous?
Gamblers Anonymous is universally recognized by its abbreviation: GA. It was founded on September 13, 1957, in Los Angeles, California.
It is a supportive community of recovering gamblers who share experiences and discuss challenges. The social group developed a voluntary, peer-led 12-step program to help people recover from pathological gambling. It fosters responsible gambling practices.
What Does Gamblers Anonymous Do?
At its core, this organization is a trustworthy, reliable, and supportive group of people who share the hope that they will be able to overcome their shared challenge.
It brings together people with common characteristics related to casino games and betting. These include constant thoughts about placing wagers, loss of control, the pursuit of winnings, lies and deception, anxiety, loss of anger control, and more.
Sufferers can become GA members and join regular meetings to discuss milestones and gain accountability. The fellowship promotes responsibility for one’s own behavior via its unique 12-step program. The fundamentals include acknowledging one’s problem, correcting mistakes, and following a path to recovery.
What Happens When You Call Gamblers Anonymous?
Gambling addiction can be stopped, and gamblers can recover if they try their best to follow a simple program. The first step is to ask for help with a simple phone call. This can be an entry point to a safe, non-judgmental support network.
Here’s what you can expect when you call Gamblers Anonymous:
- You will be connected to a trained volunteer or representative who listens confidentially to your gambling-related concerns.
- You will be guided to share a little about your situation if you feel comfortable. You can remain anonymous: disclose only your first name and when you last gambled.
- You can get urgent assistance, support, encouragement, options for ongoing help, the Life-Line Bulletin, and literature explaining the recovery steps and principles.
- You will be sent information about the GA program, will learn how meetings work, and will get help in finding local or virtual meetings to attend.
If a volunteer is not available, you may be invited to leave a message for a callback.
Note that there is no universal cure for a destructive passion for gambling, and GA never promises that it offers one. Overcoming gambling addiction involves psychotherapy, support from family and friends, stress control, and financial management.
How Does Gamblers Anonymous Work? History and Mission
Now, let’s take a closer look at how this fellowship appeared. Its creation was inspired by the success of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The founders were convinced that the principles of mutual support and a structured program could be adapted to treat compulsive gambling.
Since 1957, GA has grown into a global movement. Thousands of meetings by 1,000 GA groups are held weekly in all 50 states in the US. Multiple other groups around the world (Australia, Kenya, Japan, Mexico, etc.) help millions of people reclaim their lives.
Founders & Important People
The founder of GA was a man named Jim Willis. After finding sobriety in Alcoholics Anonymous, he realized that the same patterns of addiction and principles of recovery could be applied to the gambling sphere.
Gamblers Anonymous held its first group meeting following favorable publicity from Los Angeles Mirror newspaper columnist and TV commentator Paul Coates.
GA Initial Goals
Since its founding, the primary goal of Gamblers Anonymous has remained the same: to help gamblers stop gambling and share this message of recovery with others. The initial goal was simply to create a space where people could help each other. Firstly, they adapted AA’s Twelve Steps to create a program tailored for gambling disorders.
The Evolution of Gamblers Anonymous
As the community grew, this mission expanded. That’s why services and resources, including 20 Questions, Gam-Anon, and Life-Line Bulletin, appeared. Over several decades, GA has grown from a few scattered meetings into an international organization.
The development of the internet led to the creation of virtual Gamblers Anonymous meetings. This way, support was made available to people living in remote areas.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, most GA meetings moved to online platforms such as Zoom, GoToMeetings, and telephone conference calls. In-person gatherings at physical locations were temporarily suspended, but now they are back.
The Current Role
Today, Gamblers Anonymous plays a unique and important role in the broader ecosystem of support for people. While the ICRG (International Center for Responsible Gaming) focuses on scientific research, and others, such as 800gambler.org, work on educational campaigns and treatment, GA’s role is practical. It provides direct, free, and long-term peer support.
It now has groups throughout the US, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Brazil, Israel, Uganda, South Korea, and many other countries.
The Specifics and Important Facts
The proposed model is highly accessible, as it is completely free of charge. There are no dues, no fees and no consultants to pay. GA is fully self-supporting through its own members' voluntary contributions, and it declines outside donations on principle. Giving is always optional, and nobody is asked to contribute before they are ready.
GA is built on the principle of anonymity that ensures participants share their stories in a safe and confidential environment, breaking down walls of shame and isolation. It promotes honesty and a strong sense of community among those who truly face the struggle.
GA does not engage in public policy debates, research, or prevention campaigns. Its sole focus is on the individual seeking help.
Gamblers Anonymous and organizations like GamCare and GambleAware serve similar purposes of supporting people affected by gambling harms, but the others provide education, research, treatment funding, and services primarily in the United Kingdom.
How Can It Help with Problematic Gambling: Key Activities
The essence of Gamblers Anonymous lies in its deep focus on effective methods: a twelve-step recovery program implemented through regular meetings, a Unity Program, and Gam-Anon, a help center for friends and family.
GA operates on the belief that compulsive gamblers suffer from an illness that can be prevented through character-building principles. For example, at a meeting, you could learn about the concept of a “higher power,” which is integral but personalized. It helps members find inner strength and purpose beyond themselves.
Addiction Support at Meetings
GA’s primary activity is local meetings, which provide a physical or virtual space where recovery is possible. Here are some of the features:
- Members meet weekly to share their experiences.
- Meetings are either open, meaning anyone (including family) can attend, or closed, for compulsive gamblers only.
- Newcomers listen to others’ stories and discuss their issues, which helps identify their own patterns and find hope in the successes of others.
- Meetings are held in cities across the country, from Gamblers Anonymous Chicago to Gamblers Anonymous Houston.
The Core of the Program
Those who attend meetings can put the Twelve Steps into practice. This is GA’s recovery program, a course of action. The steps involve admitting powerlessness over gambling, seeking help from a Higher Power, creating a moral inventory, and making amends for past mistakes.
The full list of steps includes:
The Unity Program: Twelve Principles That Hold GA Together
Another excellent development of GA is a framework designed to maintain the cohesion and effectiveness of individual groups and the fellowship as a whole. It is called the Unity Program, and it emphasizes group unity as essential for personal recovery. The Twelve Steps are the recovery programme for the individual; the Unity Program is the equivalent for the group. Members usually call its principles the Unity Steps.
Here are twelve more principles they uphold:
Because that image is hard to read on a phone, here are the twelve principles in plain English. GA publishes the official wording on its Unity Program page.
Unity Step | What it means in plain English |
|---|---|
1 | Common welfare comes first, because personal recovery depends on the group staying united. |
2 | Leaders are trusted servants. They do not govern. |
3 | The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. |
4 | Each group governs itself, except on matters affecting other groups or GA as a whole. |
5 | GA has one primary purpose: to carry its message to the compulsive gambler who still suffers. |
6 | GA never endorses, finances or lends its name to any related facility or outside enterprise, so that money, property and prestige cannot divert it from that purpose. |
7 | Every group is fully self-supporting and declines outside contributions. |
8 | GA stays forever non-professional, although its service centres may employ special workers. |
9 | GA is never formally organised, but it may create service boards or committees answerable to those they serve. |
10 | GA holds no opinion on outside issues, so its name is never drawn into public controversy. |
11 | Public relations rest on attraction rather than promotion, and members maintain personal anonymity in press, radio, films, television and on the Internet. |
12 | Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of the programme, a reminder to place principles before personalities. |
A few of these carry more weight than they first appear. Unity Step 3 is why nobody is ever turned away or asked how much they lost: wanting to stop is the whole entry requirement. Unity Step 7 is why GA refuses outside money, including from the gambling industry. Unity Step 11 is the one that has aged with the times, since it now names the Internet alongside press, radio, films and television, which matters when members share in online meetings and social media groups.
Members study these the same way they work the Twelve Steps. The International Service Office sells a Group Study Book on the Unity Steps, and GA's red book, A New Beginning, opens its discussion of the Unity Program in Chapter 5. Through 2026 the Life-Line Bulletin has been running a month-by-month series, taking one Unity Step per issue with discussion questions a group can work through together.
Gamblers Anonymous Hotlines
The Gamblers Anonymous helpline is the first point of contact for anyone in crisis. You are free to speak with a volunteer, a recovering member of the fellowship who can offer support, listen without judgment, and provide information on meetings. The main contact number for Gamblers Anonymous International Service Office is +1-909-931-9056. When calling GA in the US, be sure to use the Gamblers Anonymous contact number for your region.
Resources and Services
What does Gamblers Anonymous do (and what doesn’t it do)? As it is a self-supporting organization, its resources are focused on promoting the peer-led recovery model. It provides a community, offers meetings, and emphasizes personal responsibility for behavior.
GA does not:
- Charge fees or dues.
- Offer financial, legal, or professional counseling services.
- Provide clinical therapy, medical treatment, or rehabilitation.
- Devalue your feelings or emotions.
- Solicit members; instead, people seek it out voluntarily.
- Guarantee success; some individuals may need additional help alongside GA.
Once you know this, it’ll be easier to figure out what to expect from this organization aside from the Twelve Steps. Let’s break down the resources it provides as clearly as possible.
Online Tools
The official Gamblers Anonymous website is the main resource. It lists important contact details and describes each GA program in detail. But that’s not all.
There’s a self-assessment tool titled “Are You a Compulsive Gambler?” with 20 questions about your behavior. Answering “yes” to seven or more of them is a strong indicator of a gambling problem. Here are some of them:
The website also provides a Gamblers Anonymous Virtual Meetings Finder. This is an easy-to-use tool to locate in-person and online meetings anywhere. Whether you’re looking for Gamblers Anonymous Phoenix, Arizona, or Gamblers Anonymous Washington State, the directory “Find a Meeting” can guide you.
Gamblers Anonymous Literature
The primary resource is the Gamblers Anonymous Combo Book, which includes the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions that guide the fellowship. Motivational stories from members are also featured.
Additionally, the organization provides the 20 Questions Booklet, the Questions and Answers About Gambling Booklet, the G.A. Suggestions for Coping with Urges to Gamble, and other books.
Digital versions of pamphlets and the GA Combo Book are available for free online with no restrictions.
All of this is necessary to inform people. The organization strives to explain that you should play for fun and stop in time. A large number of casinos and iGaming companies share this opinion. They provide tools and data to improve the gaming experience. For example, at Jackpot Sounds, we never encourage you to risk more than you are prepared to lose.
The Life-Line Bulletin: GA's Monthly Newsletter
This is a monthly newsletter for and about Gamblers Anonymous members. It provides a chance for users to share their experiences with each other in the “Group News” section. It is published by the International Service Office in Upland, California, and every issue is posted free as a PDF. The online archive currently runs from August 2024 to August 2026, which is a little over two years of back issues.
What Is Actually in an Issue
It is more than a members' letters page. A typical issue runs to around two dozen pages and mixes personal recovery writing with the fellowship's open books:
Section | What you will find there |
|---|---|
Group News | Letters from groups and individual members across the US, Canada, Australia and Korea, often sent alongside a donation. Many are short notes of thanks; others are tributes to members who have died. |
Anniversaries | Abstinence milestones listed by year, home group and city, from one year up past forty. The February 2026 issue listed members at 48, 45 and 44 years gambling-free. |
Unity Program study | Through 2026, one Unity Step per issue with discussion questions for groups. |
Board of Regents minutes | Minutes of the monthly business meeting, including motions, votes and the Office Manager's report on new Lifeliners and starter kits sent to new groups. |
Operating statement | A full monthly income and expenses breakdown for the International Service Office. |
Contribution lists | Every Lifeliner, group, intergroup and one-time donation for the month, listed by state with amounts. |
Announcements | Upcoming mini-conferences and conventions, with contact emails. |
Literature suggestions | Reading lists grouped by stage: just starting out, a little further along, working the Steps, or learning how GA is structured. |
Telephone meeting details | Dial-in numbers and meeting codes for GA-approved conference call meetings. |
Reading It and Subscribing
Reading costs nothing. Every issue is a free PDF on the Life-Line Bulletin page, with no sign-up and no account needed. If you would rather have it posted to you on paper, the International Service Office runs a yearly subscription, paid by check or money order:
Yearly print subscription | Cost |
|---|---|
First class, US only | $48.00 |
Each additional US copy in the same envelope | $40.00 |
Foreign, outside the US | $60.00 |
Each additional foreign copy in the same envelope | $55.00 |
Subscription forms are printed inside each issue and go back to the International Service Office at 1306 Monte Vista Avenue, Suite 5, Upland, CA 91786. One note for anyone thinking of quoting from it: each issue carries a disclaimer that views expressed are the writer's rather than GA's as a whole, that submitted material cannot be returned, and that no part may be reprinted without written permission from the International Service Office.
How Gamblers Anonymous Pays for Itself
GA takes no government grants, no industry money and no outside donations of any kind. That is not an accident of funding, it is Unity Step 7, and it is the reason the fellowship can say without qualification that nobody is selling you anything. Everything is paid for by members, and giving is entirely voluntary. Meetings, literature downloads, the helpline and the Life-Line Bulletin are all free whether you ever contribute or not.
The Four Kinds of Contribution
Donations are sorted into four categories, and GA asks you to name yours in the memo line so the office can record it correctly:
Category | What it is | Memo line |
|---|---|---|
Lifeliner | An individual member who pledges a monthly contribution. Each Lifeliner is given a number and receives a receipt by post along with an envelope for the following month. | Life-liner |
Can | The collection can passed at a meeting or held by an intergroup, sent in as a group total. | Can |
Group | A contribution from a particular meeting, often annual. | Group |
One-time | A single gift, frequently made in memory of a member who has died. | 1X donation |
If you are signing up as a Lifeliner for the first time, write “new Lifeliner” in the memo so the office knows to assign you a number. After that, put your Lifeliner number in the memo each month. GA describes the
Lifeliner pledge as a way of giving back to a programme that members often feel they can never repay, and contributions are tax deductible in the US.
How to Send a Contribution
Method | Details |
|---|---|
Check or money order | Payable to Gamblers Anonymous and mailed to the International Service Office, 1306 Monte Vista Avenue, Suite 5, Upland, CA 91786 |
PayPal | [email protected]. GA suggests this as the easiest route for members outside the US |
Venmo | @gaiso |
Zelle |
Full instructions, including how to set up a PayPal, Venmo or Zelle account from scratch, are on GA's Make a Contribution page. GA asks everyone to save or print the confirmation for their own records. September is Gratitude Month in GA, with a Gratitude Week around the middle of the month, and many groups time an extra contribution to coincide with it.
Where the Money Goes
GA publishes its books openly. Every Life-Line Bulletin carries a full operating statement for the International Service Office, so any member can see exactly what came in and what went out. January 2026 is a representative month:
Where the money came from (January 2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
Sale of literature | $32,495.04 |
Lifeliner contributions (188 individual gifts) | $9,855.70 |
ISO can contributions | $6,050.87 |
Group contributions | $5,338.41 |
Literature shipping | $2,375.50 |
Intergroup contributions | $1,772.25 |
One-time donations | $1,567.52 |
Gratitude Week donations | $857.87 |
Bulletin subscriptions | $192.00 |
National hotline donations | $150.00 |
Total income for the month | $62,258.88 |
Expenses that month came to $47,225.20, the largest items being payroll at $15,931.84, literature at $11,945.16, rent at $4,850.88 and postage at $3,000. The bulletin itself cost $1,280.50 to produce and mail.
Two things stand out in those figures. The first is how much of GA's income comes from selling literature rather than from donations, which is why the office pushes so hard to get books and pamphlets into members' hands. The second is that a healthy-looking month can sit inside a difficult year: despite January's surplus, the fiscal year running from 1 July was showing a net loss of $26,856.90. That gap is the practical reason the International Service Office keeps asking members to become Lifeliners.
Local Gamblers Anonymous Groups and Meetings
GA is decentralized. This is a huge benefit: support is almost always nearby. Each group is autonomous and serves its local community’s needs. From Gamblers Anonymous Las Vegas, Nevada, to Gamblers Anonymous San Diego, California, the format is consistent.
Local GA Groups | Addresses | Day | Meeting Time |
|---|---|---|---|
25415 Lake Road, Bay Village | Saturday | 10:00 AM | |
154 West Market Street, Cadiz | Tuesday | 07:30 PM | |
5757 Starr Ext, Oregon | Thursday | 10:00 AM | |
293 West Passaic Street, Bloomfield | Sunday | 07:30 PM | |
40 Freeman Street, Roseland | Tuesday | 08:00 PM | |
1 Highland Avenue, Jersey City | Wednesday | 08:00 PM | |
1803 East 14 Mile Road, Birmingham | Tuesday | 07:00 PM | |
2200 Lake Lansing Road, Lansing | Monday | 07:00 PM | |
6773 W. Maple Rd, West Bloomfield | Wednesday | 07:00 PM | |
1090 Berntzen Road, Eugene | Monday | 06:30 PM | |
822 Washington St, Oregon City | Friday | 07:30 PM | |
17200 Southeast Stark Street, Portland | Monday | 07:00 PM | |
25 Francis Street, Worcester | Friday | 07:30 PM | |
5 Main Street Extension, Plymouth | Saturday | 10:30 AM | |
85 Quincy Avenue, Quincy | Friday | 07:15 PM | |
5859 North Moody Avenue, Chicago | Friday | 12:30 PM | |
1101 Kimberly Way, Lisle | Thursday | 07:00 PM | |
2211 Wabash Avenue, Springfield | Wednesday | 06:30 PM | |
8700 Harford Road, Parkville, Baltimore | Monday | 07:30 PM | |
13315 Highlane Street, Hagerstown | Tuesday | 07:00 PM | |
7850 Parkside Boulevard, Hanover | Thursday | 07:00 PM | |
11107 Palmbrush Trail, Bradenton | Friday | 09:30 AM | |
3221 South Peninsula Drive, Daytona Beach Shores | Thursday | 07:00 PM | |
9008 Harney Road, Tampa | Sunday | 05:00 PM |
Please note: the table is here for illustrative purposes only; there are thousands of meetings, and their locations and times are subject to change. We cannot name all the events, but there are many others, such as Gamblers Anonymous Nashville, Gamblers Anonymous Sacramento, or Gamblers Anonymous Milwaukee. Check the official website for updates.
What to Expect at Your First Meeting?
Newcomers are often nervous about their first meeting. You can expect to be greeted with warmth and understanding. What’s more, you can simply listen without any pressure to speak and see living proof that a life free from gambling is possible.
If you are too shy to attend virtual meetings, the Gamblers Anonymous hotline is always at your service. So, who do you call for Gamblers Anonymous? You can reach out using the hotline at +1-909-931-9056 for support and information.
Who Benefits from This Organization?
Players with ludomania, people exhibiting signs of addiction, and their relatives and partners can all benefit. Just like GamTalk, GA is ready to help anyone with a desire to stop gambling. It’s the only requirement. There are no age or regional restrictions.
Is Gamblers Anonymous Effective?
The Gamblers Anonymous success rate is around 70% abstinence for members who attended GA meetings consistently for a year, as mentioned in the study published in the Journal of Gambling Studies.
The Gamblers Anonymous organization itself is convinced that the best recommendation for the program is that “it works”, as attested to by thousands of people in recovery.
According to the independent research “Dropouts and Continuers in Gamblers Anonymous”, GA is effective in preventing “relapses” (inability to remain abstinent from gambling), but not as good when helping deal with the consequences. GA may not be as helpful for those who have not had significant gambling issues (years of gambling, large debts, or serious family conflicts).
Useful Links and Contacts
Reaching out is the first and hardest step. We hope this useful and structured table with contacts and links makes it easier. If you need immediate, responsive support, take advantage of GA’s offer.
Resource | Contact Information / Link |
|---|---|
Official Website | |
Gamblers Anonymous Phone Number | +1-909-931-9056 |
Official Email | |
Fax | +1-909-931-9059 |
Gamblers Anonymous Contact Form (Find a Meeting) | |
Regional Service Offices and Intergroup Mailing Addresses | https://gamblersanonymous.org/regional-service-offices-and-intergroup-mail-addresses/ |
International Service Office | 1306 Monte Vista Avenue, Suite 5, Upland, CA 91786, USA |
FAQs |
Additionally, there are online community groups such as the Gamblers Anonymous Support Group on Facebook.
Testimonials and Success Stories
Michael, 43
“I thought I could win back every loss, but I only made things worse. My first Gamblers Anonymous meeting showed me I wasn’t alone. Two years later, I’m debt-free, rebuilding trust with my family, and haven’t placed a bet since.”
Sarah, 36
“I was terrified to call the GA hotline, but the volunteer treated me with kindness instead of judgment. The meetings gave me accountability and hope. Today, I’ve been gamble-free for 18 months and finally feel in control of my life.”
Daniel, 51
“For years I hid my gambling from everyone. Listening to other members share their stories helped me admit I needed help. Through the Twelve Steps, I’ve repaired relationships with my children and stayed away from gambling for over three years.”
Emma, 29
“I joined virtual GA meetings because I was too anxious to attend in person. They became my lifeline. The support from people who truly understood my struggle helped me break the cycle and build healthier habits.”
Robert, 58
“I believed willpower was enough, but I kept relapsing. Gamblers Anonymous taught me recovery is a daily commitment, not a one-time decision. With the support of my group, I’ve celebrated my first full year without gambling.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gamblers Anonymous free to join?
Yes. Gamblers Anonymous has no membership fees or dues. Meetings, literature, and peer support are provided free of charge, although voluntary donations are accepted to help cover operating costs. Contributions are sorted into four types, Lifeliner, can, group and one-time, and GA declines money from anyone outside the fellowship.
Do I have to speak at my first meeting?
No. Newcomers are welcome to simply listen. There is no pressure to share your story until you feel comfortable doing so.
Can I remain anonymous?
Yes. Anonymity is one of GA’s core principles. You only need to share what you’re comfortable with, and members are expected to respect each other’s privacy.
Does Gamblers Anonymous provide professional therapy?
No. GA is a peer-support fellowship, not a medical or counseling service. Many members choose to combine GA meetings with professional therapy or financial counseling when needed.
Are online Gamblers Anonymous meetings available?
Yes. GA offers virtual meetings alongside in-person groups, making support accessible to people regardless of their location or schedule.
Who can attend Gamblers Anonymous?
Anyone with a genuine desire to stop gambling is welcome to attend. Family members and loved ones seeking support can also find help through Gam-Anon meetings.
How is Gamblers Anonymous funded?
Entirely by its own members. GA accepts no government, charity or gambling industry money, because one of its twelve Unity Steps requires every group to be fully self-supporting and to decline outside contributions. Income comes from voluntary member donations and from the sale of GA literature. The International Service Office publishes a full monthly income and expenses statement in the Life-Line Bulletin, so members can see where the money goes.
What is the Life-Line Bulletin?
It is GA's monthly newsletter, written for and about members. Each issue carries recovery writing and letters in the Group News section, abstinence anniversaries, upcoming events, service office minutes and accounts, and a study of one Unity Step. Every issue is free to read as a PDF on GA's website, and a printed subscription posted to your address costs $48 a year in the US or $60 elsewhere.
What is the Unity Program?
It is the set of twelve principles that govern how GA groups operate, as opposed to the Twelve Steps, which guide individual recovery. Members call them the Unity Steps. They cover group conscience, leaders as trusted servants rather than bosses, the single requirement of wanting to stop gambling, self-support without outside money, staying non-professional, taking no position on outside issues, and anonymity as the foundation of the whole programme.
References
- “20 Questions.” Gamblers Anonymous, https://gamblersanonymous.org/20-questions/. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
- “Find a Meeting.” Gamblers Anonymous, https://gamblersanonymous.org/find-a-meeting/. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.
- “Gamblers Anonymous Literature (Digital).” Gamblers Anonymous, https://gamblersanonymous.org/gamblers-anonymous-literature-digital/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
- “Gamblers Anonymous Life-Line Bulletin.” Gamblers Anonymous, https://gamblersanonymous.org/life-line-bulletin/. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.
- “Unity Program.” Gamblers Anonymous, https://gamblersanonymous.org/unity-program/. Accessed 15 Sept. 2026.
- “Life-Line Bulletin.” Gamblers Anonymous, https://gamblersanonymous.org/life-line-bulletin/. Accessed 15 Sept. 2026.
- “Contribution.” Gamblers Anonymous, https://gamblersanonymous.org/contribution/. Accessed 15 Sept. 2026.
- “Life-Line Bulletin, February 2026.” Gamblers Anonymous International Service Office, https://gamblersanonymous.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/February-2026.pdf. Accessed 15 Sept. 2026.
- “Gamblers Anonymous Questions and Answers.” Gamblers Anonymous, https://gamblersanonymous.org/questions-answers/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
- “Gamblers Anonymous Recovery Program.” Gamblers Anonymous, https://gamblersanonymous.org/recovery-program/. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
- “Regional Service Offices and Intergroup Mailing Addresses.” Gamblers Anonymous, https://gamblersanonymous.org/regional-service-offices-and-intergroup-mail-addresses/. Accessed 14 Sept. 2025.
- “Does Gamblers Anonymous Work? Your Path to Recovery with GA.” Prescott House, https://www.prescotthouse.com/blog/does-gamblers-anonymous-work-your-path-to-recovery-with-ga. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
- “Gamblers Anonymous Support Group.” Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/groups/135948856594549/. Accessed 11 May 2026.
- Lesieur, Henry R., and Sheila B. Blume. “The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS): A New Instrument for the Identification of Pathological Gamblers.” Journal of Gambling Studies, Springer, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01367441. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
