Gamblers Anonymous Scotland

Who are we?

Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problem, and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same.

GA is not a campaigner against gambling. It neither endorses or opposes any causes or lends its name to any outside agencies. The primary purpose of GA is to carry the message to the compulsive gambler who is still suffering wherever they may be.

GA is self-supporting and receives no grants, donations from government or any outside agency.

Our website answers many of the questions about compulsive gambling, our recovery programme and the locations of our meetings. But only a compulsive gambler will know if they are ready to receive help.

If you are having a problem controlling your gambling we’re here to help you. Our Helpline is open 24 hours a day on 0370 050 8881, and our meetings are on every night of the week across all major towns and cities in Scotland.

GA meetings, helpline and the website are all run and maintained by GA members, and only compulsive gamblers truly understand the mind of a compulsive gambler, the traits, the experience of the feelings, the knowledge and experience of the destruction this family illness brings and of course can offer identification with the compulsive gambler who is still suffering.

What is compulsive gambling?

There are many and varying interpretations of compulsive gambling. The explanation that seems most acceptable to GA members is that compulsive gambling is an illness, progressive in its nature, which can never be cured, but can be arrested.

Before coming to GA, many compulsive gamblers thought of themselves as morally weak or just “no good”. The GA concept is that the compulsive gambler is a very sick person who can recover by following a very simple programme, to the best of his or her own ability, that has proved successful for hundreds of other men and women with a similar problem.

Whilst in the grip of this illness the compulsive gambler, from our experience, brings devastation to family life, with debt, domestic violence, abuse of children and divorce being the major problems. They also have many problems with employment, changing jobs frequently, either by their own choice or in most cases, being asked to leave. Trouble with the law is also a major problem. In desperation they will resort to any measure in order to get money to gamble.

Health consequences for the gambler include depression, anxiety, other stress-related disorders, even suicidal tendencies.

How can Gamblers Anonymous help?

The GA concept is that the compulsive gambler is really a very sick person who can recover by following a very simple programme to the best of their own ability that has proved successful for many other men and women with similar problems.

What is the best way to get help for a problem? By far the best way is to give them the GA telephone number, or to call them while the client is with you. GA operates a 24-hour helpline service manned by GA members who will offer to arrange for a member to contact them or take them to a local meeting.