New Advocacy Coalition Targets Gambling-Industrial Complex

The initiative, titled Truth and Integrity: The Movement for Gambling Reform, will hold its inaugural event at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. Organizers intend to push for federal and state-level regulation, arguing that major sports leagues and the NCAA have abandoned their historical opposition to betting in favor of lucrative, multi-billion-dollar partnerships.

Dr. Harry Levant, PHAI’s Director of Gambling Policy, contends that these institutions have evolved into delivery devices for addictive products. The coalition plans to pursue reform through three primary channels: congressional investigative hearings, state-level regulatory mandates, and public advocacy campaigns. This effort builds on existing legal pressure, including a March 2026 product liability lawsuit filed by PHAI against DraftKings, FanDuel, Genius Sports, and the NFL, which challenges the proliferation of live, in-game micro-betting.

By leveraging the legal expertise of PHAI—known for its historical role in tobacco litigation—and the grassroots reach of FFOG, the movement seeks to force a shift in how sports data and betting technology are governed. The coalition argues that the current industry structure, fueled by AI-driven technology, has transformed the spectator experience into a continuous cycle of gambling opportunities, necessitating immediate legislative intervention.