GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS
is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common
problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling.
There are no dues or fees for Gamblers Anonymous membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Gamblers
Anonymous is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any
controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. Our primary purpose is to stop gambling and to help other compulsive
gamblers do the same.
Most of us have been unwilling to admit we were real problem
gamblers. No one likes to think they are different from their fellows. Therefore, it is not surprising that our gambling careers
have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could gamble like other people. The idea that somehow, some
day, we will control our gambling is the great obsession of every compulsive gambler. The persistence of this illusion is
astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of prison, insanity or death.
We learned we had to concede fully to our innermost selves that
we are compulsive gamblers. This is the first step in our recovery. With reference to gambling, the delusion that we are like
other people, or presently may be, has to be smashed. We have lost the ability to control our gambling. We know that no real
compulsive gambler ever regains control. All of us felt at times we were regaining control, but such intervals - usually brief
-were inevitably followed by still less control,which led in time to pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. We are convinced
that gamblers of our type are in the grip of a progressive illness. Over any considerable period of time we get worse, never
better. Therefore, in order to lead normal happy lives, we try to practice to the best of our ability, certain principles
in our daily affairs.
