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GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS

IDENTIFICATION
AND
RECOVERY

"FROM: JIM W
CONTENTS

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GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS BEGINNING

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INTRODUCTION

The section of Gamblers Anonymous history, which you are about
to read, is the result of regular and extensive correspondence between a GA
member and Jim W, founder of Gamblers Anonymous. The correspondence
occurred by chance, during 1981, at a period leading up to Jim W's 70th
birthday and Ehe preparations for the July 1982, 25th Anniversary
celebration of Gamblers Anonymous birth.

Convalescing in a rehabilitation hospital in Oxnard, California,
Jim W expressed a desire to better (fully) detail the Hoh geal which he
interprets as the creation of the Gamblers Anonymous Fellowship. Disabled
by several heart operations, his hopes were dim. With a vast majority of
his capability gone, Jim could do little more than scribble letters -- nose
to the page -- and recall the past. We are truly fortunate that his memory
is unfailing.

This text “is “a re-write of Jim's story (1962) "Friday the
Thirteenth", found in the original GA Blue Book. Jim confesses that time
was of the essence in 1962 and he rushed the first Sissy, For this reason
he always sensed the need for a second telling. The additions, clarifica-
tions, and exploded details are the result of Jim's letters and input from
parties who were present during 1954-57.

While helping Jim, this writer quickly noticed the value of the
work, The story, spanning forty years and occurring long ago, is the story
of all CA members and Gamblers Anonymous today. Jim's awareness of his
gambling problem and effort to start a group meeting for problem gamblers
can be found in all GA's who enter our fellowship and remain to abstain from

the horror of compulsive gambling.
It 1s believed that by reviewing the origin of our fellowship,
each GA member can draw strength and hope. It is further believed that
faith can be obtained from the view of a lone compulsive gambler, with a
desire to stop gambling, performing to create our vital fellowship. Jim's
desire to stop gambling is the spark of Gamblers Anonymous. Little
recovery from compulsive gambling can exist until our (individual) "spark"
exists. It is amazing (yesterday or today) the great changes which take
place when our desire to stop gambling arrives. Witness: The GA
Fellowship.

It is hoped that GA members will be enriched by this story and

all compulsive gamblers will be enlightened.

1, oO Os
nw Ww " 5

It appears that Jim W will leave our fellowship three legacies.
1. Identification
2. Recovery
3. Relapse
The first two legacies are warming and healthy goals. The third
1s our warning and forever at’ hand.

Identification symbolizes our pasts and a period of compulsive

gambling before we enter Gamblers Anonymous. Recovery can be interpreted
as our changed lives (aoumpenbida) and how we perform while a part of the
Gamblers Anonymous fellowship. Relapse (baffling and insidious) is the
possible alternative and return to destructive gambling.

It is acknowledged that Jim W experienced all three legacies.
This text is, overall, a happy story which closes at the end of the tirst
GA meeting and develops Identification (a gamblers progression in action)

and the opportunity for Recovery, created by Jim and existing for our
- 3 -

benefit. Time and circumstances have not permitted the telling of our
third legacy. It is hoped that this story will greatly highlight the full

magnitude of the compulsive gamblers problem. This story is forthcoming.

About the man.

In a brief, inspiring period of communication with Jim W, it was
learned that openmindedness is forever required. When we look to
"founders", we search for saints and quick, fulfilling guidance. Jim is not
a saint. Truly, our founder is quite an earthy character,

In appearance he can be viewed as a thin, strained individual--
typical of those who dedicated a vast part of their lives to reaching
across crowded dice tables and screaming for a point. In a human sense, he
succumbed to all temptations. But underlining the obvious -- we find a
warm, loving personality.

'

"The whole matter can be resolved by simply loving the member.'
‘

From a hospital in Oxnard, troubled and handicapped, Jim's over-
whelming goal was to be present at a final GA conference (25th Anniversary)
and abide with fellow compulsive gamblers and many long-standing friends.
With this opportunity at hand, he sought a final message to the fellowship
which he initiated. His basic message hinged on his fear of "organization
within GA"; this fear, justified by his knowledge of the obsessive,
powering driving ego which characterizes many compulsive gamblers. His

recommended remedy is ~- Love.

So, when we look to figureheads for guidance, strength and hope,

a

seeking examples, we often go astray. We learn there are no easy answers
for our obsessive problem. Better, we compulsive gamblers only search for
the true principles of love and giving. Jim's principles can be found in

his efforts - even today, he lives with hope and works it.

This writer's will to remain anonymous is rooted in Step 12 of
our Unity Program: "Anonymity is the spirtual foundation of the Gamblers
Anonymous program, ever reminding us to place principles before personal -
ities."

This is Jim's story.

A GA Member
-5 -

JIM'S STORY -- THE PROBLEM

"IT always claimed I was born on Wednesday because that

was my lucky day. The truth is open to question."

Jim W was born in Southern California on January 30th, 1912. He
was raised with two brothers. The older brother, Bill, would eventually
become a stranger, alienated by constant borrowing. Richard, one and a

half years a junior, would become a "friend", the perpetual soft touch and

bailout. Jim's father was a fine sign painter, “who couldn't spell the
word c-a-t". His mother was a kind person, "often too gentle for her own
good".

Jim favored his mother and grew to be an affectionate, loving

child -- often dreaming. At age six he heard "the old folks" talking about

a mysterious "pot of gold at the end of a rainbow". This story hooked Jim.
He waited for winter and the California rainy season. Rain came in
December, but no rainbows. There were many journeys across wet fields.

When a rainbow finally appeared’he advanced for many hours, but Jim was not
rewarded with his pot of gold.

This mishap brought Jim an illness (pneumonia) and close to
death. Doctors came to his side and a concerned family prayed. When Jim's
father heard why his son remained in the rain for so many hours, he reported
that the "old folks had fibed". Jim believed his father, yet he tells how
he spent many hours dreaming about a wagon and bike he saw, and wanted from

the store window in town, The seed was planted. The lesson was overlooked.
- 6 ~-

A similar fascination occurred at an early stage. Jim's father
brought home a deck of cards and taught the boys games and a method for
shuffling cards called "the Chinese shuffle". This shuffle greatly
intrigued Jim and he practiced earnestly. The cards and games became an
even greater fascination after Jim's father died of tuberculosis. Jim was
ten years old at the time and recalled, "I never really recovered from the
loss of my father. Cards seemed to offer a replacement."

Cards became a dominant game for the brothers. Richard and Jim
would side with each other to upset their older brother. The stakes were
at first matches, then pennies and finally larger stakes. Arguments
occurred regularly and at one point Jim's mother removed all cards from the
house with a threat. The cards were promptly replaced, by the boys.

Jim's life became uncomfortable after the breadwinner and
security was gone. He passed out handbills and performed odd jobs to
obtain money. School work was not immediately affected as he breezed
through grammer school, but in High School an abrupt turnabout occurred.
Jim rebelled at homework. He decided that school work should be performed
between school hours. The period after 4:00 p.m. was Jim's free time.

Jim failed his first year of High School, but aware that a
prolonged stay would develop, he determined to get more involved there-
after and soon managed ie ees his head above water. "I considered a 'D'
a mighty triumph."

Small card games accented Jim's early childhood. There was a
period when the boys chipped in 50¢ to bet the winner of the Santa Anita

Handicap, but for the most part, Jim favored cards -- poker. He learned the
-7J-

"WW "

best hand "in" was generally the best hand "out''. This became his first
betting system. At one point his system produced a $14.00 winner and Jim
felt he had found that "pot of gold". He entered the game with small
change.

Graduating High School, Jim devoted three months to a local
business college. English and typing were interesting, but bookkeeping
was a chore. Seeing an inevitable failure in the wind, Jim decided to quit
college and gently poke his neck into the world.

It was the time of the Great Depression and jobs were scarse. A
steady job was often viewed as a "gift from above". By age twenty-one, Jim
felt constant feelings of failure and futility. He had become a skillful
poker player and cards now became his sole interest. He found comfort and
promise at a poker table. Any feeling of inadequacy vanished as soon as the

first hands were dealt.

Jim gambled with working fellows, viewed by him to symbolize

success and security. The challenge to beat these men was exciting. Jim
delighted when one sad loser finally declared: "You ,are the best damned
stud poker player I have ever’seen!"" Jim puffed up. The game, which

generally ended at 10:00 p.m., continued until dawn.

Jim did not sense harm. The process of playing, winning and
beating the competition seemed normal. Money was needed, after all. Money
was available at the poker table. Many hours spent in smokey rooms did not
offer any warning. The inner longing to play and the subtle sadness at
games end was disregarded. The memory of wet fields and his rainbow chase

would vanish, lying dormant forty years.

Steady employment eventually arrived. This occurred in time to
"back" challenges at Santa Anita and in horse racing. Jim discovered a new
passion,

It was not long after his first serious visit to Santa Anita when
Jim realized he was seeing less and less of his poker playing buddies.
Horses offered special involvement. A racing form. Charts. Columns and
figures. A screaming crowd. Larger sums of money to be won and an
informative board to reflect each and every possibility. Best of all:

"parade to post",

fresh air and sunlight were present and surrounded the
carnival atmosphere at the racetrack.

Jim soon forsaked day work to continue afternoon racing action.
Whenever a large betting stake was accumulated, he separated from work
completely. Jim went "broke" after one such separation, suffering a major
shock: his horse system failed. He was “tapped out". He thought this
would never happen. Failure was distasteful and cut to the bone.
Something was wrong. Jim pondered the many possibilities. He would make a
stand against gambling failure. :

Numerous jobs were *again started, but only as a means to a
gambling end. Revised systems must be tested. Absence from work
highlighted and wounded each job. A religious anticipation of pay day
loomed large. Jim "could not wait" to enter the racetrack to experiment
with his next betting system. Quarrels were forced with the "boss" to
obtain an immediate pay check. "Fired on the spot." The rush to the
racetrack and the promise of a "score'’ surmounted all endeavors. Normal
achievement did not equal the thrill and success of a winning day at Santa

Anita.
-9 -

During this period Jim discovered "borrowing" -~- from friends
and relatives. At the track he refused a tasty roast beef sandwich,
selecting a hot dog to save iwebine money. He once approached betting
windows with shoes several sizes too small; these, borrowed from his
brother. On line, Jim made hundred dollar wages. "Richard was a soft
touch. Rich always knew when the tap was coming.”

Losing at the racetrack forced Jim to sell belongings. The
automobile went first. Then smaller possessions. Bad checks were cashed.
Stealing became an integral part of his daily routine. Constant borrowing,
thoughts to repay and fear of capture filled each afternoon at Santa Anita.
Relief: the "hit" was just around the corner. Soon, Jim would pay all
debts and also provide a dividend. His best intentions were only dampered
by bad timing. Creditors were never present "in time" to be paid. Jim did
not consider himself a shifty dodger. But, why hadn't they been paid?
There were many winning days. Soon, the slate would be clean. This could
happen on any sunny afternoon.

In 1942 Jim became involved with the Military and a great
gambling opportunity. The Military posts in the area offered action on a
regular and continual (24 hour) basis. Jim soon found himself transferred

for

from base to base. The "wait" for pay day became a discipline. Longing
instant action dominated His days. Losing became intolerable. Jim wanted
to remain in action with his mates. Two options existed: sleeping or
gambling.

Regular gambling losses gave birth to a special thought at this

time. Jim began to sense that "all was not right with Jim W...'' Agony was

felt after sudden losses. Borrowing became humiliating and peeked. Pain
- 10 -

entered Jim's life. This forced a quiet vow to limit gambling -- cut down.
The effort failed. A small bet, a scintilation, and then back to regular,
heavy action which resulted th heavier losses.

Anxious now, Jim realized he was no longer a "skillful poker
player". The old master of stud poker had gone wild. He became a reckless
player; betting every hand and raising every pot. He violated the laws of
gambling, helplessly watching money disappear and action come to a sad
halt. Reason and logic were shelved. Play. Play more. Play on luck and
true chance for the "game" will reward the player in the end. Jim became
a "hopeful gambler", temporarily forsaking control of gambling and
skillful play. He practiced a new system called duration; often wishing to
lose at the start of a game and close as the winner. If he could hang on
(last) the result would be profitable.

"Under the GI Bill I could have gone back to school. But I
felt in a minute/ten and two 5ths I could make more money
than all the schools had to offer."

High hopes filled the air with the end of war. Jim returned to
Los Angeles in good spirits -- Santa Anita reopened in January 1946 -- off
cards and dice and back to horses! Jim vowed to regain the "magic touch"
at horse betting. The first day of the "winter meet" was most successful.

Now Jim entered the racetrack with great expectation. Control
would follow. Older and more experienced with horse betting, his new
system involved the number of races which one should play. Jim often
failed because he stayed too long or bet too much. ''Become a 'two race'
better with shrewd, limited investments", he thought. "Become master of

the clubhouse."
By the time the meet ended, Jim saw very hard days. He soon bet
every race, much the same as he bet every hand in the Army. He was broken
and set back, confused. He paused to think. The noise and emotions at the
racetrack ran too high. No one refused bets. Each teller anxiously
captured as much money as Jim placed down and returned a quantity of paper
stubs -- then, the race, the photo-finish and the pain. Jim determined the
frivolous atmosphere at the racetrack was not suited to his betting
systems. Clearly, the crowd and the expeses of admission were a great
deterrant, contributing to his failing. If he would continue to practice
his masterful systems, relocation would be required.

Reno, Nevada, dawned. There, Jim could bet under the guidance of
quiet, watchful bookmakers, wagering on every track in the nation. Jim
gathered a bank roll and again quit work. The move to Reno offered a cool
betting atmosphere and an aura of the professional gambler. Jim considered
himself a "pro''. He was surrounded by the "right type". He was among
brothers of gambling blood. Atmosphere and brotherhood promised success,

Jim became the cool, calculating gambler. He spent long hours
with the racing form, studiously evaluating weights, conditions and all
manner of methods which determine the correct investment. Betting was now
"investing", as a livelihood would be derived from the happy results. Jim
did not care to consider that the animals on which he waggered were unable
to read the same information. Thought - decision - and bet. Rewards were
plentiful, but eventually Jim realized many selections were based on
"hunches". Often, after weary hours of contamplation, Jim closed his eyes

and pointed to the choice. The variation of results was not so great.
> * ee

Soon, Jim placed a certain value on his time and took short cuts
by "investment" based on the color of horses or the famous (tell-tale) name
of the animal. Once, reereb hilly he passed a strong inner urge to bet a
horse named Donald Duck. Why had he passed such a promising name? If he
waggered on this name he would have become "well' for a long time. Gut-
feeling became an inate gambling factor. Personal, special conditions
rose above the logic and thought concerning "what" and "where' to bet.
Mystery replaced the struggle to master the game thoughtfully and planned.

While in Reno, blackjack and roulette entered Jim's life. Having
more time on his hands, he at first, thought these happy diversions should
be used to "fill in'' between races. Then Jim realized these interests
offered a far better opportunity to gamble. Why wait for horse races? Why
waste time thinking about weights and names? Here, on the tables, which
never closed, lay the secret to gambling. Reborn, the feeling that
quantity counted. The more you bet...the more you win. The tables suited
Jim's new philosophy.

Regular trips to betting tables fathered, disaster. Failure
became a daily routine and new systems were devised and altered continu-
ally. Many mental jobs were performed to obtain money to gamble. Borrowing
again reached its limit and, as always, Jim looked reverantly to each pay
day. He was no longer in ns Army, but the cause was the same. The war was
over, but the battle continued. Pay day became Jim's signal to volunteer
at the dice tables. "Bet the six...bet the eight!"

After months of losing, Jim decided to "hitch'' home to Los
Angeles. Without naming gambling, he decided to turn over a new leaf.
Something was wrong. These thoughts always arose during periods of "no

money’.

He found regular employment in the profitable field of home
construction. Income was more than adequate. Each week a health pay check
came in hand. But, in the end, local gambling devoured all funds.

In the face of steady employment, good income and perpetual
bankruptcy, Jim began to continually think about stopping gambling.
Feeling he was different from normal people, he finally vowed to stop, but
this sincere overture soon waned. He discovered short trips to recklessly
wager in Tijuana and Las Vegas.

Other restraints were practiced. Jim began to avoid looking at
race results in the daily papers. This control worked temporarily and
horse betting was eliminated, but eventually a pocket heavy with cash
forced the turn of a page and return to Santa Anita.

Endangered now, drinking entered Jim's life. Drinking binges
highlighted his days, before and after action. Without funds to play...Jim
waited in bars. After a depressing loss...Jim lifted a glass. With a win
and big score...comes the celebration. He did not, however, violate "good
judgement!’ and drink while in action. Gamblers do not mix conditions, he
thought. Drinking would certainly tip the already overloaded scales of
lady luck.

Jim's obvious "booze" problem directed him to a fellowship of
problem drinkers. As his elbows wore down at bar after bar, it dawned that
he may have a drinking problem. Such problems were typical of an

"Alcoholics could (if they desired) seek

individual called an "Alcoholic
help within a fellowship called Alcoholics Anonymous. This was common
knowledge in the Los Angeles area in 1946. Jim recognized this problem.
When a friend recommended attendance at an AA meeting, Jim followed

obediently. In this fellowship he also met and married his wife, Sybil, in

May 1951.
Although his pockets were worn and his fingers ached from paying

off gambling debts, Jim could not identify his gambling problem. No one

warned: "sambling is dangerous...watch out!" More gambling always
soothed the uneasiness of his gambling problem. The problem seemed the
solution.

Drinking under control, Jim persevered with gambling for many
"black years". During this period he gambled without plan or motive. He
long ago surrendered the goals of control and mastery of gambling.
Survival was now dominate. He gambled to gamble. The habit persisted.
Life was meaningless. Employment was purposeless. Non-gambling oftered
only boredom and gambling escapades produced an empty bank account. Every
corner held confusion and the tempting, instant relief in some form of
action game.

Jim pursued his dreams to alter reality. Unfairly, his reality
finally became a dream world. He lived to gamble. There was justifica~
tion, however. Everyone bet. The world bet. Life, itself, was a gamble.
Successful industrial giants were gamblers of the highest rank. Gambling
was right! Why wasn't gambling paying off for Jim W? He sensed inevitable
defeat, but would not surrender.

Now Jim dragged his wife on gambling binges. At one point they
moved to Reno, where gh vowed to achieve the "good life'’ at the crap
tables. He had previously entered a successful building business only to
accomplish abrupt bankruptcy. Immediate success at ventures other than
gambling spelled immediate disaster for Jim. "Scratching up" a $2,000
bankroll, he relocated his new family in Reno and prepared for a pleasant,

hopeful future. Within nine months destitution and despair resulted.
- 15 -

Trapped in the grip of a need for action and shouldered with a
bride, Jim often found himself in serious depressions and contemplations
of self destruction. déaduty demanded that he provide for his family. His
nature demanded that he gamble. To accomplish both ends, Jim again tried
work, but pay checks ignited the sparks of destruction. Each pay day,
Jim's nature won out and he gambled. Guilts were born. A wife screamed.
Money would solve the problem. The revolving door of debt, depression and
a gambling desire all lead to a game and the promise of a score to end all
uncertainty.

Winning no longer fulfilled Jim W. During periods of big wins
and sincere thoughts to repay and "bring home the bacon", Jim blinked an
eye and in a flash another quick game washed away the stake. Winning
signalled "more betting". Who can stop? Who would and should stop when the
roll is "hot"? This violates a basic law of gambling. "Strike while the

"em! Jim stroked steadily in this

iron is hot!" One more roll and...kill
whirlpool of action for years, uncontrolled.

His "bottom'' came in the autumn of 1954. He was 42 years of age
and possessed 21 years of seridéus gambling experience. The place was the
Boulder Club in Las Vegas.

One evening Jim wandered through the downtown club. The room was
crowded with players feveroual y absorbed in the wheel and roll of the dice.
Alone and unnoticed, Jim vaguely heard the clatter of slot machines and
chant of the stick man: "bet the six and eight while you wait...double up
and catch up...a new lucky shooter/coming out...bet the lucky field..."

Jim gazed about the institution and thumbed a meager handful of silver

dollars.
- 16 -

Some hours before, he had crossed the desert with a great, final
dream. As the car cut the night air, Jim thought about the immediate future
and the debts he would repay. He devised a fullproof system for the crap
table and accumulated a great stake to test this scheme. Soon the chips
would roll in. He pressed the gas peddle and his neck jerked.

Everything felt right. Soon the pit boss's brow would run with
sweat. Control and mastery would pound the club to its knees. The three
hour ride was filled with hope, command and success. This system would not
fail. Now he could regain all funds lost through the years. A puzzled wife
would smile again. Gambling was right! This would prove it. At anytime a
fortune could be made! Others had succeeded. It was Jim's time. He
wondered how he would carry away the money. A gambler never loses as long
as there is tomorrow, a stake and a game. "One more time."

As the miles slipped away, Jim thought of the wonderful things he
would do with the winnings. He checked his mental list of people he had
harmed as these would all, now, be helped. His wife would have a mink coat
and a newcar. His mother would have a penthouse and servants. His brothers
would be comfortably retired from the burden of waking each day for work.
Jim felt quite noble as he contemplated the long overdue creditors.

In the club...it did not work. After several hours Jim felt the
emptiness a gambler sinks whe the end is at hand. Two, three more rolls
and the bankroll would be gone. It would be finished. The stick man and
the pit boss were calm. They were not concerned with Jim for the moment.
Jim's wagers were limited to a dollar here...a dollar there. In the final
throws, Jim felt a blank hopelessness. Another loss. Another crap.

Nothing could stop it! Each dollar was bet with the full knowledge that a
JIM/ALCOHOL AND THE EDUCATION

"T had been used to applause before and after each speaker
in AA. They started giving applause, but with only five
members they discontinued it completely. Eddie T was

the chief advocate of ‘no applause’."

Jim W's awareness of the Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship and his
association with AA services would play an important roll in the creation
of Gamblers Anonymous. In 1957, Gamblers Anonymous became the first major
off-shoot based on the AA, self help concept.

Jim found AA in 1946. He came to a program for problem drinkers
(called Alcoholics) and discovered comfort and then relief from the grip of
alcoholism. Regular group meetings were available. A spiritual 12 Step
program was offered to members to maintain abstinence from drinking.
Sponsorship and enthusiasm dominated AA in California during the tenth
year of the fellowship and its fifth year in the West.

Companionship was oBtained through the love of a wife found in
AA. Jim met Sybil at AA meetings. They were married during her tenth year
of sobriety.

"Bill W was green ne te laughs. He was very interested in GA."

Alcoholics Anonymous is the result of a meeting between two men
in 1935. These men discovered the combination of regular meetings and talk
about alcoholism withdrawal lessened the urge to drink. In the end, "“non-
drinking" could be maintained. Their prolonged sobriety was astounding at

the time. Our society often classified alcoholics as "hopeless" and
"return" did not exist. There was a strange satisfaction. The loss was
sensed -- then witnessed. This, at least, was tulfilled.

Again a loss. The shoulders drop. A blind numbness eliminates
each fellow player, beyond and alongside. The dice and the chips are
lighted. Beyond the table is darkness. On the table the toss of two, red
cubes produce a delighted roar from some and the execution of others
dreams. Jim was on the wrong side. He was always on the wrong side.
Tomorrow offered a similar result.

In a moment of conscience, Jim captured a last, useless handfull
of silver dollars and backed away from the table, making room for another
excited contestant. He thought, "Why does it have to be Tike this? Why do
I have no power of choice?" Why was he shackled by fiendish slot machines
now calling for his last dollars. The crap table suddenly appeared to be
a green mouth monster, greedily devouring its clustering victims. Hours
before there was hope, friendship and unit of play. Now, busted, no one
seemed to notice. Jim did not exist.

Shuffling through the club aimlessly, he glanced at the people
and then to the entrance of the club. He began to entertain thoughts of
passing through the exit...never to return. Then he was struck with a
thought. "TIT cannot leave!" He felt like a traitor. There should be honor
in defeat. Twenty-five dollars remained. Jim never forsaked a game until
he was totally broke or each participant in the game was busted. In this
treason state, thoughts developed about his wife in Los Angeles. She had
not seen a pay check in some time and this money would "sure look good to
her". Wild ideas cascaded as he stood nearer the exit. He paused a long
time. "You might win after all...it's only twenty-five dollars. Go on

back! What have you got to lose?"
- 18 -

In a moment of sanity, Jim turned and started to walk. "Don't
look back", he thought. He resolutely placed one foot in front of the other
until he reached his automobile. He was afraid to think. He kept his mind

"shot" or a "play" he would

blank. He knew if he thought one second about a
return to the club to waste the twenty-five dollars. He finally sensed the
slavery of his gambling obsession. He wanted this money. This "small
change" became the focus of his flight. If he could escape the parking lot
and hold this money, there may be a chance. He did not know what would
happen tomorrow. He placed the automobile into gear and began the long
drive home. Home seemed better than the Boulder Club. Los Angeles seemed
easier and safer. A wife. Problems. Debts. Everything and anything

seemed better than gambling at the Boulder Club. Gambling hurt. Jim was

ready.
-~ 20 -

"insane". Many individuals were placed in asylums and (for the wealthy)
secure hospitals.

Sober, the two men felt fortunate, indeed. They determined to
spread their message and secret. This resulted in the creation of two
meeting places in New York City and Akron, Ohio. The success of numerous
recoveries soon prompted the writing of a volume called Alcoholics
Anonymous. This book became available in the year 1939. The book described
the problem of alcoholism and the methods which AA's use to recover from
the illness. The concept which maintained the two founders sobriety was
‘incorporated into 12 Steps and outlined in detail. In 1941 an informative
national magazine article was published and requests for the AA book
mounted greatly. The 12 Step Program soon became the basis for the AA
fellowship and groups began to spring up everywhere. AA was on its way.

Alcoholics Anonymous manner of growth in the Los Angeles area is
significant to the GA story.

Prior to the publication of the AA book (April 1939) the
fellowship offered 400 mimeographed copies of the text to parties who might

a
read, revise and recommend changes for the upcoming journal. Among those
who received a preview copy was i partien lar Cleveland lawyer. Reading the
copy the lawyer thought of a fellow Clevelander who was altering his life
with alcohol in California. The copy was dispatched to this party. It is
not known what became of the gentleman, but at a point in time, his ex-wife,
Kay M, (non-drinker) popped up in New York City, "full of enthusiasm for

AA". Further impressed, Kay traveled home to California.
wil FA a

Dedicated to the cause, Kay contacted one Johnny Howe who was
with the L.A. Probation Department and extremely involved with helping
problem drinkers, but having little success. Johnny was presented a copy
of the AA book and saw much good in the contents. He was not, however,
overly encouraged with the spiritual elbheus of the writing. Kay and
Johnny struck a happy compromise and started sobering up people with a two-
fold method. Kay's method bordered on the AA principles and Johnny's
leaned more to the psienological teachings. Together the pair helped many
alcoholics who would eventually found the original California groups, but
as a method, their dual concepts failed.

The story shifts to Denver and another individual named Mort.
Mort bought the AA book in 1939 and got sober. Moving to California (March
1940) he sought AA groups so he could continue to maintain sobriety. Much
to Mort's surprise, he found an AA area in great turmoil. The meetings were
shakey and near collapse. Taking the initiative, Mort rented a new meeting
place in the Cecil Hotel and started a new group. It was Mort's idea to read
a section from Chapter Five of the AA book at the start of each meeting,
hud finally ending the dual methods of Kay and Johnny. The reading of the
book became a custom, pecular to the West areas of AA and is attributed to
Mort's effort. The Cecil Hotel meeting was soon called the areas "mother
group”.

AA was humming in 1946. A local AA magazine existed (Eye-Opener)

published prior to and until the dominating success of the AA Grapevine.

There was a Los Angeles Central Office which offered information,

literature and unity to adjoining groups. There was a regular telephone
-~ 22 -

service which acted as a "hot line" for problem drinkers who sought help.
The AA message was well announced in the Los Angeles area, soon to be the
most densely populated AA region in the entire fellowship.

It is from this world of AA and the anticipation of the then
young fellowship that Jim W drew an education about recovery from
compulsive addictions. It would first apply to his drinking problem, but
when he saw that gambling was, indeed, destroying his life, he would turn
to these methods to maintain his own gambling abstainence and finally, feel
the need to offer this education to others who had a similar gambling
problem.

Initially, Jim would need companionship during his withdrawal
from gambling. Here he sought fellow AA brothers who were also known to be
regular, problem gamblers. When he saw himself slipping back into the grip
of action...he thanked God, as the AA telephone service produced relief and
rescue...through misguided calls (about gambling/not drinking problems)
and finally, contact with genuine compulsive gamblers who needed help.

The AA services were instrumental in the start of the Gamblers
Anonymous fellowship. It is doubted if a GA "start" would have been
possible without this beacon in the wilderness of action. Jim was in the
right spot at the right time. Shackled with his own gambling problem and
armed with a desire to get well [combined with the aid of an education (AA) |
Jim would become the smith to forge the links that would cement the

Gamblers Anonymous chain forever.
- 33 -

THE SIX PHASES TO G.A. BEGINNING
1. The Algamus Society

2. The Apartment House Meeting
3. The Fred Shields Affair

4.  Sam/Jim and the Unknown Lady
5. Paul Coates

6. Friday the 13th

"Re: Your friend who is in Palm Springs and wants to visit me.
Tell him I would be delighted to see him and I wil] do the best

I can. He will know if it works/or not." (Jim W. 1981)

THE ALGAMUS SOCIETY
"Sybil was a prominent part of the GA story. Without her
help, there would be no GA. She pushed me and helped
me so much,"

Obsessions dogged sree day upon Jim's return home from Reno in
1954. He told his puzzled wife he had a desire to stop gambling, but he
also felt, "You can still win...what are you trying to prove?" Rationali-
zation filled every day. Jim tells of a great void which existed when he
stopped gambling. His feeling of loneliness increased. Temptations were
invented. On the other hand, talk from friends and acquaintances
challenged him most severly. There was much chatter about the "big

winners” at Santa Anita.
-~ 24 -

Jim reached into the AA bag of slogans and started to live "one

day at a time". He continued to blank out the future. The days to come
seemed to offer little of value without gambling. He often persevered from
hour to hour.

Witnessing this withdrawal, Tia! s wife gave helpful suggestions.
Sybil asked Jim to contact other problem gamblers and discuss the matter of
withdrawal from gambling. Jim took council.

This started a period of conversation with anyone who would
listen. Jim disclosed his old gambling problem, his new desire to stop and
the many pitfalls encountered. Jim found he needed constant reminders of
the pain he felt at the Boulder Club. He tired many an ay People often
laughed, “It's in your blood. You'll never stop!" Jim pondered the
coolness. Everyone seemed to know about gambling problems. At the same
time, these parties were not overly concerned. Gamblers, or those
afflicted with gambling problems were disregarded and accepted in a state
of curious normalcy. "You want to play? You got to pay!" This code ruled.
Jim realized that outsiders sensed an unwritten law which assumed that
gamblers fully understood and could accept the consequences of gambling.
Jim did not feel normal. He would soon foresake a full explanation of his
gambling problem to outsiders, finally declaring that few could fully

understand.

"Johnny was a compulsive gambler. Red and Bob were not. Johnny
needed help badly and so did Jim. This meeting gave Jim

something to hang on to."
~ 25 -

Eventually, Jim crossed the path of one Johnny W. Johnny was a
fellow AA member and a destructive gambler. He was hooked "bad and in need
of help". When Jim approached Johnny he had not gambled in 10 weeks:
"Mainly due to lack of money".

"Do you ever think about stopping?", Jim asked.

"Sure", said Johnny W. "TI think about it all the time."

Jim told Johnny he had not gambled in five months and Johnny "got
real interested". Then Jim advised that the pair stick together. Perhaps
each could help the other.

The result of this initial bond soon gave birth to an idea.
During the Spring of 1955 Jim and Johnny decided to sienee a group for
problem gamblers, along the AA line. Needing more immediate support, the
founders enlisted additional fellows, Red T and Bob C. Getting Bob to Sota
was a stroke of luck as Bob owned an abandoned metal shop which was used for
regular AA meetings, but not on Thursday nights. With one convert they
accumulated a meeting hall and meeting date.

Association with other troubled gamblers = talk about gambling
withdarwal he lped Jim greatlys Prolonged non-gambling for those with
which he spoke did not occur, but other dividends appeared. Jim felt the
urge to bet lessening. This new diverting thought of a "group meeting"
completely removed all thoughts to gamble. Healthy activity soon gives
birth to the true desire to stop gambling.

As Johnny and Jim walked to the first Thursday meeting there was
a feeling of great enthusiasm in the air. Jim felt good. Johnny W seemed

to enjoy the same expectations.
-~ 26 -

Red and Bob had assembled at the meeting place and created a new,
secret handshake. This ceremony involved a grasp of the individual's hand,
extension of a forefinger and search for a pulse. By this method, a member
of the Society could easily determine who was "keeping the faith". A rapid
pulse, in the end, may be the cause for immediate expulsion. Fortunately,
everyone passed the handshake test, but Red T knew that Johnny W was at the
racetrack that same afternoon.

During the meeting the four founders pondered their fate.
Sitting at a small card table, each man gave his offering. Then,
inevitably, conversation pursued how gambling problems greatly resembled
drinking problems. This knowledgeable foursome also detétnavied (for the
moment) that gambling problems might ''even be worse''. Bob siezed the magic
of the moment and coined the name of the group. ''ALGAMUS" he proclaimed.
This stood for and represented Alcoholic (AL) Gamblers. (GAM)...(US)
representing the founding fathers, Jim, Johnny, Red, and Bob.

After naming the society, all parties reminisced about their
gambling experiences. "Everyone lied a bit." In time, the second meeting
of the Algamus Society would follow the trend of the first, with the
exception that the lies grew larger. During the second Thursday meeting,
Jim became apprehensive. Johnny, Red and Bob all worked together in the
same shop and on the name shift. As the Gamo-Alco chatter subsided,
conversation abruptly turned to "shop talk". Jim sensed the group getting
off the. subject and purpose of the meeting. Jim had come to talk about

"sambling".

- 27 -

The change to "shop talk" was a fair warning. A third Thursday
meeting would not materialize. Jim stayed at home on the following
Thursday and felt the old “pakiness: He wondered why the common
denominator turned to "shop talk" and away from gambling withdrawal.

Thoughtfully, one after the other, the defunct group called Jim
to announce their resignations. Johnny W was the first to call, declaring
that he was not a gambler...just a drinker. Red T eventually phoned and
advised he was not a drinker, just a gambler...so he met and got drunk with
Johnny at Santa Anita. Bob C was most emphatic, declaring he was neither
a drinker or gambler. His denial rang clear upon his sentence to San
Quentin for 10 months; this, the result of an armed robbery attempt
directly following a drinking binge in an all night card game.

The Algamus Society escapade passed from Jim's thought in days
to follow, but he acknowledged the feeling that a great strength was
provided by the joining of members. "I felt the power in numbers." On the
way to each meeting the feeling persisted. Together, a common strength was
formed to syortions a common pcablen.. 5 "where separate]y we fail." Hope is
born in unity. He looked to thé mixture of problems (gambling/alcohol) as
a confusion which forced the new group to discuss a separate, unrelated
denominator -- in search of a common medium.

The Algamus wheat lorie exposed Jim's personal withdrawal from
gambling. Remaining alone and isolated with the problem was entirely
unacceptable. He talked about his gambling problem. This chatter had
assembled a group -- if only for two weeks. He was forced "out". Jim drew
curious relief from the exchange. He would sieze other opportunities

whenever possible.
- 28 -

THE APARTMENT HOUSE MEETING
"TI had no friends except for Sybil, of course. Most of my AA

friends thought the idea of a GA was a bummer."

Without the Algamus Society and finally running out of patient
ears, Jim found himself unwillingly sitting around the house thinking
about gambling. This circumstance would prove fatal. Self pity is often
born in solitude. He was close to the brink when a new individual entered
his life during early Winter of 1955.

Sybil worked for the AA Central Office. It was not uncommon for
the phone service to receive calls for non-drinking problems. Receiving a
gamblers' call and knowing her husbands problem, Sybil knew exactly how to
perform. These calls were turned over directly to Jim.

In November Jim contacted Art M, a horse player: Jim could
identify easily with Art and listened intently as Art revealed a
catastrophy: "He lost $800.00 at the track". Jim told Art that he no longer
gambled because he tried to discuss the problem with anyone who would
listed. He did not pursue his "one day at a time" concept, for fear to
confuse Art. Jim simply suggested that Art join up and together they might
help each other. To fully cement the pack, Jim promised to assemble a
quantity of problem gamblers. United, this crowd would attempt to resolve
Art's gambling problem and listen to what he had to say. Art M balked. Jim
made a final plunge and offered Art a loan of twenty dollars; this, to

guarantee an initial appearance. What a sale!
Jim surveyed his list of almost non-gambling associates and
assembled Tex A, Tommy B, Curt C and the powerful Rocky T. To insure a
successful meeting he also called the now famous and knowledgeable Johnny
W, Red T and coiner of names, Bob C. Jim volunteered his apartment for the
meeting and it was into a packed house that Art M and Jim would enter.

The noise was heralding. The group was disorganized and
everyone spoke at once. Talk of money...horses...dice and cards. Jim felt
the din of the Boulder Club returning. Art M was a short, quiet man. He
managed to find a seat. His declaration will never be known, as his number
was not called this day.

The meeting was a complete shamble until Rocky T knocked on the
apartment door. Rocky was a "take charge" guy and soon quieted the crowd.
He sensed the absence of a leader and volunteered. Showing the group how
to perform, Rocky started with a "famous talk''. As his history was
revealed, all attendees listened obediently. Rocky was a well known
gambler and his honest story was filled with horror. Speaking this day,
none within the group could know or believe that Rocky would be killed over

’
a poker game within two months.» His troubled statement was his own eulogy.

This meeting would provide little benefit to Art M, save the
twenty dollar loan. Art gambled the next day and never attended another
meeting. Art symbolized one of the many useful pegs in the recovery from
gambling. He was not helped, yet he initiated a group meeting that would
persist for months.

Jim's apartment meeting continued sporadically. There was no
set time or date for the meeting and the group was poorly attended.

Including Jim ~- two or three showed up -- never more than five. In the end

- 30 -

the meeting would die and Jim would be alone, thinking he was the only
person who wanted to stop gambling. Unwilling to accept this defeat, Jim
desparately longed for a regular group meeting. He began to dream about
regular meetings and a group joining together at a predetermined time and
place.

Reflecting on this failure, Jim saw the informal setting in his
apartment to be a major deterrant. There was no commitment from the group
to support the meeting place. Without this involvement a members belonging
could not exist and grow. The lack of a fixed time and date for the meeting
contributed to poor attendance. Haphazard appointments created a get-
together instead of a "recovery meeting". The limited format left those who
attended the meeting in a void, much the same as the Algamus Society.
Little was ever accomplished during the Apartment House Meeting.

Jim watched the individual disappear in the face and needs of a
group. Though the meeting was shakey and disorganized, Jim became
concerned about his body. He soon forgot about Art M and the twenty dollar
loan. The loan was poorly conceived. This also tainted a celebration: Jim

had maintained one year of non-gambling...unnoticed.

THE FRED SHIELDS AFFAIR

"T'm glad you didn't say you had had a slip. A slip means you
slipped on some substance and slipped into a line at the betting
window. You did not do that. When you and I went back to gamble

(especially me) it was a premeditated, deliberate act."
- 31 -

Jim continued to persevere on his own power after the Apartment
House Meeting folded, managing to enter 1956 on an up-swing -- he was not
gambling. To accompany his ‘ao0d feeling, two interesting phone calls
generated from the AA Central Office.

The first call came from one, Stan R. Stan was a local newspaper
reporter and hooked on the horses: "Hook, line and sinker". Stan was "into
the books for a bundle" and deeply troubled when contacted by Jim. Lakene
help could be offered at this time, beyond personal advice and contact.
Algamus was gone. The Apartment Meeting was abandoned.

Jim suggested that Stan meet regularly and talk on the telephone
whenever possible. Stan used this suggestion and received the benefit. He
stopped gambling.

The second call to the AA service was placed by Fred Shields.
Fred was a prominent radio announcer. He conducted a special 12 midnight
to 1:00 a.m. talk show called, "You're the Doctor". Local residents were
interviewed and asked to describe how they managed to solve personal
problems. ‘

Fred was in search of interesting parties when he touched base
with Sybil. Hearing about Jim's speaks to stop gambling and how Stan R had
joined up, Fred became interested. Jim spent a restless night when Sybil

brought home the news about Fred Shields.

Fred Shields was noted for his "suave, silver tones". When he
called promptly the following day, Jim became very excited. "Fred
Shields!", Jim thought. "It was like talking to the President!" Fred

managed to relax Jim and explain how he wanted Jim to participate on his
- 32 +

show -- KFI Radio, Los Angeles. If Jim agreed, Fred also wanted Stan R and
Sybil to attend the show to further detail Jim's story. Jim responded in
the affirmative and then innocently asked if there would be "any
rehearsals''?

"The show starts at 12 midnight." Fred laughed. "Be on time!"

Jim contacted Stan as soon as possible to expose the good

fortune. Stan was elated. "Boy, we really hit the big time!", he cheered,
ready to start a great, non-gambling society. "I bet we get 500 inquiries
after the show." Jim was not as enthusiastic and guessed at 50 to 100.

"No." Stan boased. "I know about these things. You watch, we'll get 500
customers tonight!" Jim sensed etau's overconfidence, but could not
resolve the outcome. Stan was “riding high" on hope. Jim's friendship was
a temporary aid. Not gambling for several weeks...Stan R felt cured.
The momentous evening of the radio show, Jim, Sybil and Stan
dressed in their Eide bt clothes. "Sybil looked studalns? But, at the

studio Jim was greatly disappointed. Fred Shields had dressed in short

sleeves and wrinkled pants. "He slept in his clothes!", thought Jim,
observing the short, thin framed individual. This sloven appearance
tended to relax Jim, however. He was very nervous. "Well, his silver tones

are still: there 3."

Appearance was not required to get Jim's message
across the radio air wavés.

Fred opened oe hee with: "Now you have all heard about
Alcoholics Anonymous. Tonight we have two men who are compulsive gamblers.

The lady, Sybil, is the wife of one of these men (Jim W) and together they

represent GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS."
- 33 -

Stan and Jim perked up. This was the first time they had heard
the phrase used. Each time Fred Shields chanted "GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS" Jim
and Stan glanced at each other and beamed. "It sounded perfectly great!"

Fred was not prompted to coin the phrase. It seemed the natural
explanation for two problem gamblers who attended a ratio show with the
stipulation that they be un-named and anonymous. Jim was delighted. "We

' He felt a feeling of accomplishment. "Gamblers

almost popped our buttons.'
Anonymous...Imagine, Fred Shields calling us GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS".

- During the hour Jim nervously told his story. Stan followed.
They described what it was like to be a compulsive gambler. Then, to bring
Fred and the audience up-to-date, stressing his ixabatrlousseds as a non-
gambler, Jim told how he was now busy building a two bedroom house to be
sold to pay off debits. During the break between the pair, Fred
interviewed Sybil who stated: "Every nail, every brick, every board was a

" This statement captured Fred's emotion and he

bet not made each day...
repeated the phrase over and over. "Ladies and gentlemen! Every nail,
brick, board..." Each time he spoke, Jim sat taller., "Every nail, brick
board...was a bet not made!" Jim grinned. "It was like the Sermon on the
Mount and the Gettysburg Addtess soiled into one." He was proud of his
abstinence from gambling.

The show ended with Fred Shields asking interested parties to
call the station. Callers would be placed into instant contact with Jim W.
Fred felt the entire show was a great success and everyone shook hands,
waiting for the phones to ring. But, as the hours passed, spirits fell.

No one called for a time. Stan slumped deep in his seat, shaken.

The great plan and the optimism were gone, replaced by fear. Soon, even

Fred Shields felt shaken, thinking he said something wrong. Finally, in the
ee aa

early morning, one lone caller responded. This gentleman said he was a
vacuum cleaner salesman and wanted to know if Jim could give the "inside
track" on beating the horses.

The evening ended on a sad note. All parties were disappointed.
Stan was most affected. Stan R felt a new hope from his association with
Jim. He wanted to share this feeling. Now it seemed no one cared to
listen. What value the feeling, when you are alone? Stan would be the
first early victim of a premature optimism concerning recovery. He faced
the danger. The urge to help and carry the message of recovery cannot
result in relapse. Stan did not have his act together. He payed the price.

Prior to the radio show, Stan met Jim avsey Alehe- Now the
visits were cut to once per week, and finally stopped. Stan called one day
and told Jim he had had a "little slip". Soon Jim learned Stan R had
"slipped greatly into the shadows".

Jim became the lone member of the newly named fellowship. He was
alone again with his gambling problem. He had, however, gathered a useful
experience by participation on the radio show. rikare media adventures
would expose a more confident’ and effective speaker. Saddened at the
moment, Jim found consolation in the knowledge that he had not gambled in
almost two years. The thought was astounding. Time was flying. Not
gambling was becoming a way of life. Abstinence is often the only reward

for the addicted -- this, forever, the spark and goal.

SAM/JIM/AND THE UNKNOWN LADY
"We are talking about spiritual matters. Everyone has financial
problems...you, I and everyone. The whole matter can be

resolved by simply loving the member."
- 35 -

During the 1956 Winter holiday, an individual (Sam J) walked
before shopping windows without funds to purchase his children's gifts.
Sam was a poker playing insurance salesman who gambled into critical times.
In a moment of hopelessness or sanity he reached out to mistakenly call the
AA Central Office.

Jim contacted Sam J the day of his call. Poker was Jim's old
favorite and he listened closely. Samwas broke. He had lost all, save his
job. He was presently "out of the house". Listening to the desparation
story, Jim advised that they meet that same evening. A nine o'clock
appointment was arranged. Jim thought the call from Stan arrived just in
time -- "a rescue". He was weakening. Sam was hurting and Jim understood.
It was helpful to hear that gambling did not pay.

That evening Jim waited in the apartment, alone. Nine o'clock
came and went and Sam J was not present. Soon, the telephone rang and Sam
announced that he was busy with a customer, but he would soon arrive. Jim
acknowledged the excuse, but when he banged down the phone, he thought,
"What does this guy really want? To sell me some insurance?"

Ten o'clock...no Sam J. Jim twisted. He thought about the
Algamus Society, the Apartment Meeting and Art M; Stan R and the Fred
Shields Affair. Everything seemed hopeless and futile. He thought about
gambling. He almost went: back to gambling..."But not quite". Then the
phone rang and Sam said he was finished with business. He apologized,
saying he would be "right over".

Soon, a knock came on the door and Sam J entered, laughing. Sam
was different, Jim thought. The two men ignited quick conversation. Sam

described his gambling escapades and insane behavior. He outlined how he
-~ 36 -

traveled from game to game along Western Blvd., prowling to recapture a
healthy income tax refund. Jim countered with his horse betting and
roulette systems and how "Quick Gold" refused at the gate and demolished
hours of handicapping, placing him into bankruptcy. Sam was different. He
was aware that gambling was his problem. He was honest and detailed how the
loses were only the result of his desire to gamble. He was a "gambling nut"
and he admitted it immediately. Rocky T and the others had talked about the
money they lost and why they couldn't win. Sam did not care why he gambled
and lost. He approached Jim for information about stopping gambling and
stopping NOW.

When Sybil came home she entered the room with two roaring
problem gamblers. She entered in time to hear Sam describe his current
sleeping adventures on his mothers couch. He was a successful salesman,

"part with a dime for room rent while out in the cold". Soon,

but would not
Sybil joined in the laughter. She was happy for Jim. Stopping gambling
should not offer constant agony. The milk was spilled...laugh about it
once in a while. :

Sam and Jim talked GA for many hours. They began to call it "GA".
Sybil retired and the pair went to an all night coffee shop to talk until
dawn. This became a pattern for many months to follow. Jim introduced Sam
to the 12 Step recovery Seniesa used in AA, Although Sam would not accept
the helpful spiritual sections of the program, he did, however, willingly

accept help and sponsorship from Jim. Meeting regularly, neither man

gambled.
- 37 -

Jim soon became accustomed to strange, late evening calls. Sam
always started by joking, but Jim knew he was hurting and in deep trouble,
{t helped to talk. Jim chevisned the friendship. He found a partner with
a true desire to stop gambling. Sam was ready, willing and honest. He
signaled the beginning of Gamblers Anonymous.

During June, 1957, an Unknown Lady called the AA Central Office.
She sought help for her poker playing husband. Jim and Sam were both well
oriented along the "poker line', so (qualified) they made their first call
to help another problem gambler.

They visited the individual's home, but the meeting with the
husband lasted only a short time. Jim knew the meeting was finished when
the husband took a "long pull" on his bottle of beer and yawned for a
moment.

Sam and Jim went to their car. At this point the woman caller ran
from the house and asked about her husband. Could he be helped? Jim
regretfully reported that the man wanted to continue to gamble. There was
little to be done at this point. He and Sam had tried. Thankful for the
time and the visit the woman said she believed the pair could truly help

people who "really wanted to stop gambling". In addition, she offered that

she was "friendly'' with a newsreporter who worked for the Los Angeles
Mirror and produced a daily column called Niteline. This man was under the
direct authority for one Paul Coates, the famous newsman and TV commenta~
tor. She would tell about Jim and Sam.

Jim thanked the woman and placed the automobile into gear. He

!

inwardly scoffed, "Sure Lady, tell President Eisenhower about us, too..
- 38 -

Years later Jim would reflect on this thought. He would "thank
God" for the woman and the opportunity to call on the poker playing
gambler. This woman had shaeted the final wheel in motion to create the
first Gamblers Anonymous meeting. The woman was never seen again. "God

bless you", said Jim.

PAUL COATES
"The producer saw a good possibility.

Especially the anonymity bit."

Jim was caught completely off guard when a reporter called the
following day. He answered many questions and tried to be as informative
and helpful as possible. He was astounded, to say the least, when an

article appeared in the LA Mirror. This article described a fellowship

called Gamblers Anonymous. Jim was filled with hope as he read carefully.
At last, he would be permitted to contact a quantity of potential
customers, Reader response was guaranteed. Sam was "clean" for six months
and he was back in the house. “High hopes filled the air.

But Jim sulked at the end of one week. "It was like the Fred
Shields show, all over...and worse". No one responded. This article was
far better exposure than a 12 midnight radio show. Still, no response. Jim
took Sybil on a ten day vacation and tried to shake unhappy thoughts about
problem gambling.

With a turn of events, upon Jim's return from vacation, he
discovered a letter from Paul Coates producer. Jim and Sam were invited to
witness a demonstration of Paul Coates weekly TV program called 'Confiden-
tial File". If they approved of the setting...Paul would consider the pair

for an upcoming interview.
- 39 —

Sam and Jim rushed to the TV station to view a broadcast. New
adventures! Jim was an old radio expert...now, into the modern world of
TV! The prospect was exciting. Both men watched the show and finally met
Paul Coates. After a point they agreed to submit to an interview and a date
was selected.

The show was scheduled for a holiday weekend at 8:00 p.m. The
thought of a large viewing audience captured Jim. Cooling the moment, Sam
announced he could not appear on the show. At the last minute he had given
the matter more thought. Recognized on TV, his insurance business would be
placed in great jeopardy.

Jim did not announce this happening to Paul Coates. The evening
of the broadcast, Jim produced a "ringer", Floyd M, a trusted AA fellow.
Jim did not fully advocate the deception, but the stakes were high. He was

trying to stress a fellowship called Gamblers Anonymous. A fellowship, no

matter how young and blooming, should offer representation of more than one
member. Floyd was sacrificed in the name of "good intentions".

In later years Jim recalled how Paul Coates quickly spotted his
Neindeet: Paul was an “old newspaper man" and well versed in the con and
shuffle. During the interview Paul directed the vast majority of questions
at Jim W.

Floyd and Jim appeared with paper bags covering their heads.
Eyes and nose holes were cut in the masks. Questions were answered quite
anonymously and Jim responded "like a trooper". "IT was cool as a

' Gambling was discussed. Problems of withdrawal were outlined.

cucumber.'
Jim took the opportunity and enlarged on the actual size of the fellowship

called Gamblers Anonymous ~~ again, in the name of the cause.
- 40 -

Paul Coates ended the show with an offer to the audience to
receive any and all inquiries. These would be turned over to Jim W and the
Gamblers Anonymous fellowship. Paul Coates congratulated Jim and Floyd
and said that the show had "gone well...ringer and all". Jim left the
station in high spirits.

In the days that followed Jim received an initial response from
approximately 15 parties, each desiring information concerning the loca-
tion of the "G.A. Meeting". Jim wrote to each party and invited each to a
meeting in an office building on Wilshire Blvd./date: September 13th
(Friday) at 8:30 p.m. The overall response from the TV interview would
eventually number approximately twenty-six. Of the bittial fifteen who
received notification of the upcoming meeting, five courageous individuals
would actually "show". This ratio is the basis for many theories.
Gamblers Anonymous would eventually announce that the GA program is
designed for those who want to stop gambling, not for those who should
stop. All who wrote to Jim after the Paul Coates show, by their effort,
exposed the knowledge that they should stop gambling. But only those who

4
want to stop will get off their.seat, rise, and come into the night to seek
help.

Jim was questioned on several occasions after the TV interview.
Several fellow workers and a friend of his brothers asked if Jim was under
the paper bag on the TV show. Jim shyly denied the challenge. The sole
authority on compulsive gambling remained silent.

. Jim offered many thanks to Paul Coates for the original exposure
of the Gamblers Auden fellowship. Additional TV and radio programs
during the early months of the fellowship did much to boalster the young
and uncertain membership. GA was born with the help of sincere friends;

also with a bit of the "con".
-4A4l -

Paul Coates was a heavily built man and a typical chain smoking
reporter. He died in the early 1960's prior to formal acknowledgement and

thanks from the Gamblers Anonymous fellowship.

FRIDAY THE 13TH
"T waited in the dark and was joined by Sam. We sat

in the early evening...two lonely figures."

Jim suffered through a six day wait until the Friday meeting.
None of the parties to which he wrote had responded by phone. He was
nervous and forced many conversations with Sybil...how to conduct the
meeting. A plan was needed. A format was needed. A leader was needed. The
newcomers were not AA brothers or friends enlisted to fill a room. These
were not patient ears. These were complete strangers, seeking help. Jim
felt misgivings and wondered if he could control the situation.

Hours before the first meeting Jim and Sam paced the rented
second floor office at 1805 Wilshire Blvd. Jim had rented a smali !0x10
room above the AA Central Office which was located on the first floor. Time
was spent between Jim and Sam negotiating changes in the 12 Step text that
Jim had asked Sybil to type at 4:00 p.m. that day. Sam felt certain sections
of the text would be dues tod by newcomers. He persuaded Jim to have Sybil
and her friend (Dene) type a revised draft in the time permitted. These
would be offered to the newcomers that evening.

Eight o'clock. Jim and Sam sit impatiently on the lower steps of
the old, tired office building, on guard. Upstairs, Sam's wife, Leah,

Floyd M and his wife, Ray T and his brother were assembled as well wishers
- 42 -

and fillers, waiting for the meeting to start. Jim gazed down the avenue.
"No one will show", he thought. He suffered the emotion that all GA's feel
at the start of a meeting. "Who will show?" It is an emptiness that must
be filled quickly. "AmI the only one who wants to stop gambling?" Luckily
we do not suffer too long for the meeting soon starts, united. We forget
the feeling and the need to be joined on time and as soon as possible,

Sam was his “old buoyant self". He tried to cheer Jim. "You
wait", he spoke. "They'll be here. There will be a big crowd, Jim."

Jim slumped.

"Look, here comes someone now!"

Jim thought, "That's just some old folks, out fbr a walk". But
they were not. Jim watched aman and a woman approach slowly. Soon, the man
disengaged from the woman and cautiously surveyed the old office building.

He asked, “Is this where GA is held?"

"Yes sir!", Sam reported. "Go right to the top of the stairs.
You'll see a whole bunch of people up there".

Jim and Sam remained below to meet a eH named Sol and his
friend, both claiming to be problem gamblers. Following Sol and friend, a
woman gambler arrived named Patricia B. She was uneasy and crying,
accompanied by her sister.

Five problem gamblers joined Jim and Sam this evening. At a
point when Jim was about to start the meeting, Sam entered the room and
announced that another individual was downstairs and had inquired about
Gamblers Anonymous. His name was Ed T. Ed would offer considerable
respectability to the gathering -- below, he was parking a "brand new T

Bird".
mae Sc ee

Assembled, Jim took a position with Sam at the head of the group.
Jim recalled hearing chatter concerning the dilapidated condition of the
office and a statement, “What did you expect, the Ritz Plaza?" A large
glass ashtray was tapped on the table. Jim thought about Rocky T as the
chatter slowed and vanished. He announced: "This is the regular meeting
of Gamblers Anonymous which meets every Friday at this time".

Formalities done, Jim studied the twelve parties seated in the
small room. By the light of one overhead bulb, he told his story about
compulsive gambling and his desire to stop. He admits that he eliminated
many of the "bloody details" the first evening, for fear to drive off the
new "babies''. Sam was asked to speak and offered his recent encounters
with Jim and the results of the association, but personal highlights were
avoided. Jim then gave a brief speech which outlined the special methods
of the 12 Step recovery program and then opened the floor to a question and
answer period.

One newcomer, Ray M (lst newcomer) asked a volume of questions.
The barrage was planned to sink Jim's concepts and prove to his wife, Ann,
that recovery was impossible, hence, gambling was "okay". Question after
question was driven back. tiavieien then followed concerning the regular
collections that would be taken at the group meeting, thinking that the
meeting might be a "con job". Eventually the member could find no flaws in
the GA program as described by Jim W, so he joined up.

The 2nd newcomer, Sol, asked why he had _ gambled. This
information was of the utmost importance to him. Hearing this question,
Jim paused and breathed a long, deep breath. He said that Gamblers
Anonymous was not concerned with "why'' we gamble. GA was about the

business of "stopping gambling". This answer quieted Sol, yet he would not

return to the next meeting or ever be seen again.
-~ 44 -

Questions and interrogation finished, Jim suggested that the
body close the meeting with a prayer. They chanted:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference."

This ended the formal part of the meeting and consumed approxi-
mately one and one half hours. Copies of the 12 Step recovery program were
distributed to all.

Later, coffee and doughnuts were offered and the entire group
huddled in a brief bull-session. New members, Ray M and Ed T seemed to
strike a quick relationship and chatted openly. RamM sensed that Ed T was
a true compulsive gambler. This was later confirmed upon Ray's visit to Ed
T's house in the weeks to follow and review of a home devoid of furnishings.

Eventually the meeting room emptied and all parties went into
the night. Some went directly home to talk about their new experience with
their spouses and family. Others went to a coffee shop down the avenue to
continue a second bull-session until 2:00 a.m. in thes morning.

(Later) "The first meeting room was located near an all night
cafe where Ray, Sam and I would have bull sessions
in which we kicked around ideas...mostly bad."

Jim W gathered Sybil from her position in the AA office and
returned home for the evening. He decided that the new group was not too
greatly impressed with what had taken place. A better reaction would be
discovered the following week, at a second meeting, should anyone attend.

He was sure of Sam and himself.
~ 45 -

This meeting would mark the beginning of the Gamblers Anonymous
Fellowship. From this small spark, the problem of compulsive gambling
would be exposed throughout ihe California area and then nationally and
internationally. But the following day, Jim W had great apprehensions. He
was simply thankful for the opportunity to have helped several strangers
who said they may be compulsive gamblers.

Within two weeks, while working for the LA Department of Works,
Jim would have the opportunity to wave hello to Ed T. (big car) and tell his
fellow workers that he knew that man. "My fellow diggers treated me with
a new respect."

Friendship and companions always. paramount, from this September
evening Jim would never again be alone with his gambling problem. Gamblers
Anonymous is the alternative to a compulsive gambling problem. Jim W's
desire to stop gambling is the father of GA. In turn, Gamblers Anonymous

would forever offer Jim comfort from the baffling obsession.
1912, ‘dan... 30th

1918
L922

1930
1931

"30's

1942

1946

1948

1950

1951, May 5th

1952.5, 535. 3%
1954 Fall
1955 Spring

1959 Early
Winter

1956 Mid-Year

- 46 -

DATES

Jim W is born, Southern California.

Jim dreams about a Pot of Gold, contacts pneumonia and
comes close to death.

Jim's father dies of tuberculosis and Jim reacts with
card playing. His support of the household is required.

High school is graduated with low grades.
Jim quits business college after three months.

Plays poker for a living -- discovers horse racing at
Santa Anita and becomes a poor employee.

Enters Army and finds a greater gambling opportunity.
Begins to sense that "all is not right with Jim W..."
Attempts to limit gambling and fails.

Released from the Army and joins Santa Anita. Relocates
to Reno to become a professional gambler. Discovers
blackjack and dice. Vows to stop gambling and fails.
Drinking becomes a problem and he finds help in Alco-
holics Anonymous.

Earns a generous living in home construction, but always
broke due to gambling. Practices methods to stop
gambling and fails.

Pursues a construction business venture. Finds success
and then bankruptcy due to gambling,

Marries wife,’Sybil.

"Black" gambling years. Uncontrolled, reckless gambling
and thoughts of self destruction.

Jim hits his "bottom" in Las Vegas. He finds a desire to
stop gambling and returns home to Los Angeles.

Jim contacts other and forms the
Algamus Society.

problem gamblers

Art M is contacted and the Apartment House Meeting is
created. This meeting fails, but Jim has not gambled
for one (1) year.

Jim contacts Stan R (problem gambler) and together they
appear on a radio broadcast where the name "Gamblers

Anonymous" is coined.

Two years -- no gambling.
1957 January

1957 Summer

Labor Day

Friday, September

~ 47 -

Jim meets Sam J and successfully sponsors a problem
gambler. He finds a constant companion with a common
problem.

Sam and Jim make the first Twelve Step Call to visit a
poker player in a nearby community. The wife of the
problem gambler refers the pair to a news reporter.

An article about compulsive gambling and Gamblers Anon-
ymous appears in the L.A. Mirror.

Jim returns home from a vacation and discovers an
invitation to appear on the Paul Coates TV Show:
Confidential File.

Jim W appears on TV (anonymously) and reveals the
existence of a fellowship called Gamblers Anonymous.

Fifteen interested parties respond from the TV interview
and Jim writes to each. He invites all to a GA meeting
in Los Angeles.

3th, 1957
The first meeting of Gamblers Anonymous is held at 1805

Wilshire Blvd. Thirteen people are present and the
meeting is conducted for seven compulsive gamblers.
Bill (older brother)

Richard (younger brother)

Mother

Father

Larry (friend)

AA Friend (unknown)

Sybil

Johnny W

Bob C

Red T

Art M

Tex A
Tommy B
Curt G

~ 48 -

INDIVIDUALS

Member of AA and sober twenty years. Would
not lend Jim money or become involved with
Jim's suggestions to join up at the race-
track.

Friend and "soft touch". Suffered from
cancer 1962-63 and was buried May 1963.

Aged/died shortly after Richard.

A professional sign painter. Built the
familiy's house. "Had a big, hard fist and
could whip any man on the block." Died from
tuberculosis when Jim was ten years old.

(Not mentioned in text). Childhood gambling
partner/cards.

Introduced Jim to his first AA meeting in
1946.

Wife. Married 5/5/51. "Sober in AA since
1941 with no relapse of any kind." Supported
Jim's efforts to start GA and offered much
guidance. Assisted early Gam-anon women.
Initially, could not see compulsive gambl-
ing as a problem for Jim and accompanies him
on many relocations to gamble.

AA fellow and compulsive gambler. Started
Algamus Society meeting with Jim in Spring
Of 1955.

AA fellow and lifelong best friend. Coined
name of Algamus Society. Came to many GA
meetings as a filler when early attendance
dropped off.

AA fellow and member of Algamus Society.

First call for help from a problem gambler.
Initiated the Apartment House Meeting and
went directly back to gambling. A useful
peg in the recovery from gambling. Later:
"T had a wrestling arena and Art hustled
beer for me."

Sporadic members of the Apartment Meeting -
~ all problem gamblers.
Rocky T

Stan R

Fred Shields

Radio Caller

Sam J

Unknown Lady

Gambling Husband

Staff Writer

Paul Coates

Floyd M

a Ys

Chief spokesman for the Apartment House
Meeting. Present at three occasions. "Kil-
led over a poker game."

Second gamblers call for help. Newsreporter
and horse player. "Into the books for a
bundle.'' Accompanied Jim on the Fred Sh-
ields radio broadcast and became the first
"slipper'' due to a premature optimism about
recovery from gambling.

Radio announcer. Coined name: Gamblers
Anonymous. Later: admitted to being a
compulsive gambler and joined GA.

A door to door vacuum cleaner salesman.
First gambling curiosity seeker. Called
Jim W at 9:00 in the morning in response to
the radio broadcast, seeking “horse sys-
tems".

First party to be effectively sponsored.
Friendly with Jim W, but felt uncomfortable
with the new GA members. Rejected the
spiritual essences of the fellowship and
eventually rejected GA.

First spouse calling for help. Underlying
initiator of the first Gamblers Anonymous
meeting through recommendation of Jim and
Sam to a newspaper reporter.

First recipient of a GA Twelve Step Call.
Results were poor -- benefit only to the
Sponsors.

Wrote "Niteline" article about Gamblers
Anonymous. First written exposure of GA and
compulsive gambling, but not readily effec-
tive. The writer was never identified or
contacted after. Jim felt he viewed the
individual in a group of writers huddling
around Paul Coates at a later broadcast.

Offered the first effective exposure of
compulsive gambling and Gamblers Anonymous
through the medium of television. Gave much
needed support to GA in the early years of
the young fellowship. Died in his mid-
forties, during the early 1960's.

AA fellow, filler at the first GA meeting
and "ringer'' on Paul Coates TV Show.
Ray M

Ann (Ray M's wife)

Sol

Sol's Friend

Patricia B

Sister (Pat B)

Ed T

Leah (Sam's wife)

Wife (Floyd M)

Ray T

Brother (Joe)

Dene

-~ 50 -

First GA newcomer. Would gamble the fol-
lowing day and then find the desire to stop
gambling. Making a vow to help compulsive

-gamblers for the remainder of his life, he

attended the second GA meeting and remained
in the fellowship. Most dedicated member.

First spouse to accompany a problem gambler
to a GA meeting. Witness to the first GA
meeting and first bull-session in all night
cafe.

Second GA newcomer. Compulsive gambler,
but not ready to stop. Would not attend a
second meeting and would not be seen again.

Third GA newcomer. A true friend, he would
follow Sol's example.

Fourth GA newcomer. Would attend the second
and third GA meetings and then "slip into
the shadows". First woman GA member. She
sat very close to the door during the first
GA meeting.

Accompanied Patricia (the problem gambler)
to the meeting location, meeting room, and
departed.

Fifth GA newcomer. Late comer. Successful
jewelry craftsman and broken compulsive
gambler. "Chief advocate of 'no applau-
se'', Would drop off in,athe early months of

the fellowship.

Original spouse to accompany a compulsive
gambler at a GA meeting. Witness to the
first GA meeting and present at the first GA
conference, Fresno, 6/28/59.

Well wisher and witness to the first GA
meeting.

AA fellow, well wisher and filler for the
first GA meeting. Supported early GA meet~-
ings when attendance dropped.

Ray T's brother, well wisher and filler for
the first meeting.

Sybil's friend and co-worker in the AA
Central office. Helped type the original 12
Step Text that was handed to the GA new-~
comers at the first meeting.
- 51 -

RANDOM QUOTES

(OF JIM W)

"Tt (to me) took a lot of luck leading to the first meeting. Only two men
in the world know these facts...Jim W and Sam J. I have done this work
hoping you and you alone can put these facts together. Truly, these are the
facts."

"At the third meeting a Don K showed up. It was Don who said we should open
our remarks, giving our name and say... 'My name is . I am a compulsive
gambler.' I opposed this at first, but later I saw..."

(Oxnard Hospital)

"Note: I am writing in the dining room where every once in a while along
will come dinner. And...I now have to mix up all my papers. Damn ‘em all!
I lost my track, my thought and anything that is not nailed down."

"The 'Lady' we never saw or heard of again. Wherever she is may God Bless
her...wherever she is. She was the one link we needed that would trigger
GA."

"We had one guy in the group (#10 Bank and Hazard) who couldn't pronounce
the word ‘anonymity’. They called a special session with me because he
‘went on (Group Treasurer) to have access to all the cash in the house."

"Fortunately, we do not have to go it alone."

"The story you did is almost perfect, but... In the first place, there
wasn't anything about my childhood that was NORMAL."

"Of course there is a need for orderly procession...but there should be no
organization whatsoever." :

"T have struggled to get this work of the beginning of GA down before I die.
My eyes burn like fire all the time. I have glasses, but I can't see
through them."

"Our common welfare...United we stand...I knew aman at the local level who
went back to gambling only to lose his life, via a heart attack, trying to
fill an inside straight. If he had hung together with the other members,
he would probably be alive today."

"So, finally...put all your strength against organization. I think
'organization' is the death knell of GA. Without it, GA should live for an
eternity."

"T used to think if only we could get ten members...it will be quite a
victory. And one night we had ten members who were compulsive gamblers."
~ 52 -

"IT said, 'This is the regular meeting of Gamblers Anonymous which meets
every Friday at this time.' It gave me a thrill just to say the words."

(9/13/51)
"At home that night Sybil and I talked a long talk about my misadventures
with gambling, which eventually led to my writing my story."

"T am a very wordy fellow, due, I think, to my compulsion. Sybil would
always say I am too wordy. Apparently she was right. Sybil is always
right."

"I was looked down on by members who have not had a relapse. I was treated
somewhat scornfully by even members who had had a relapse."

"He was going to Santa Barbara to visit an old AA friend who (after several
slips) now has seven years in the program. So, 'slippers' sometimes make
it after all."

"As I look at myself through your eyes and knowing there are thousands like
me...1 see there is a great need for Gamblers Anonymous.

"So, I am a believer in the spirit. GA has a spirit that lives in you and
I, and I don't see it dying...."