The 20 Questions

New members coming into a Gamblers Anonymous room for the first time are asked these 20 questions, for either a simple Yes or No response.

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling? Yes No
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy? Yes No
3. Did gambling affect your reputation? Yes No
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling? Yes No
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties? Yes No
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency? Yes No
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses? Yes No
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more? Yes No
9. Did you often gamble until your last Rand was gone? Yes No
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling? Yes No
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling? Yes No
12. Were you reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures? Yes No
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family? Yes No
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned? Yes No
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry, trouble, boredom or loneliness? Yes No
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling? Yes No
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? Yes No
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble? Yes No
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling? Yes No
20. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling? Yes No

Our recovery is based on a willingness to bring about certain personality changes within ourselves. We recognize that together we can bring about these changes. Separately we could not. This conclusion has resulted in our joining together in group meetings. We try to conduct these meetings in a manner that will enable us to have an orderly exchange of ideas, recognizing that the important thing is to share our experience and strength with each other. We learn the importance of honesty with ourselves and each other. We try to practice tolerance and openmindednes, and we are always ready to carry the message to the compulsive gambler who still suffers.

If you have a gambling problem, our hearts and our hands go out to you. Our experience has shown us that together we can survive and find a good life. Divided, we can hope for little. We hope you will join us.

Click here for a complete list of all the meetings in South Africa along with details of each meeting. If you need immediate help, please call the Gamblers Anonymous Hotline.