Gambling addiction support groups: where to find your people

By Charlie G, a compulsive gambler in recovery. Not medical advice. Updated October 16, 2026.

The first time I walked into a meeting, I sat near the door so I could leave fast. Then a guy across the room described my exact thoughts, word for word, and I stayed. That's what a support group gives you: proof that you're not the only one. Here's a simple rundown of the options and what to expect.

Why groups work

Gambling thrives in secret. Shame tells you to handle it alone, and that mindset is exactly what keeps us stuck. In a room full of people who've done the same things, the shame loses its grip. The American Psychiatric Association lists peer support groups like Gamblers Anonymous as a core part of help for gambling disorder, alongside counseling.

And you're far from alone. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates about 2.5 million US adults have a severe gambling problem in a given year (NCPG).

Gamblers Anonymous (GA)

GA is the oldest and biggest group for compulsive gamblers. It follows a 12-step program, it's free, and the only requirement is a desire to stop gambling. Meetings happen in person and online, morning and night, all over the country. Find one at Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

In meetings you'll hear people share their stories, and you'll hear readings from GA literature. Two books I still lean on are on our books page: the GA Combo Book and A Day at a Time. Many members also get a sponsor, someone further along who you can call when an urge hits.

Gam-Anon, for the people who love us

Gam-Anon is for spouses, partners, parents, kids, and friends of compulsive gamblers. It's a place to talk about what living with our gambling did to you, without having to protect anyone's feelings. If you're a family member reading this, it's for you even if your person isn't ready to get help. We also wrote a guide on how to help a spouse or partner.

SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery is a non-12-step option built on practical tools: dealing with urges, managing thoughts and feelings, and building a balanced life. It covers all kinds of addictive behavior, including gambling, and has lots of online meetings. If the 12 steps don't click for you, give it a try. Some people go to both.

Online meetings and chat

If you can't get to a room, or you're not ready to be seen yet, online is a great start. GA and SMART both list online meetings. You can also chat with a trained helpline specialist anytime at 1800gamblerchat.org, or call or text 1-800-GAMBLER. Many states also fund free counseling and groups. Check your state page.

What your first meeting is really like

• You don't have to talk. You can say "I'm just listening today." Nobody will push.
• You don't need your camera on in most online meetings.
• It's confidential. What's said there stays there.
• Nobody cares what you lost. $500 or $500,000, everyone in the room gets it.
• Try a few. Every meeting has its own feel. If one doesn't fit, try another before you decide.

My advice: go to a lot of meetings early. Ninety meetings in ninety days is a common suggestion, and the more I went, the more the urges quieted down.

Groups work best with walls around you

A meeting can carry you through an evening. Blocks keep you safe at 2 AM when nobody's awake to call. So pair your group with the practical stuff: self-exclusion in your state, at lifetime if it's offered, or the longest term there is. There's no room for gambling in our lives going forward. Even after a few years of cooling off, the addiction comes back and we end up gambling the same way again. We never get back to doing it just for fun. We always take it too far. Then add a blocker like BetBlocker and a gambling block at your bank.

And count your days. Saying your number out loud at a meeting is a great feeling. Our free My Progress tracker keeps it private on your phone.

How to get the most out of a group

Showing up is the biggest part, but a few things helped me get more out of meetings:

• Get phone numbers. At the end of a meeting, people often share numbers. Save a few. When an urge hits at 10 PM, a text to someone who gets it can change the whole night.
• Be honest, even when it's ugly. The meetings where I admitted the thing I was most ashamed of were the ones that helped most.
• Keep going when you feel better. This is when a lot of us drift away. Feeling good is a sign it's working, not a sign you're done.
• Give back later. Welcoming a newcomer, the way someone once welcomed me, keeps my own recovery strong.

If you're nervous, that's normal. Everyone in the room was a newcomer once.