The kickoff, hosted in the Russell Senate Office Building by the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) and Families and Friends of Gamblers (FFOG), signals a new stage in the effort to impose federal safety standards on the gambling industry. Proponents argue that the current landscape represents a full-scale public health crisis, fueled by platforms that integrate addictive micro-betting into sports broadcasts and college athletics.

Dr. Harry Levant, a key figure in the advocacy push, emphasized that the movement seeks to mobilize public pressure alongside legislative action. The initiative targets three distinct levels: Congress, where members are calling for investigative hearings; state governments, which face pressure to strengthen enforcement; and the broader public. This campaign follows PHAI’s March 2026 product liability lawsuit against major industry players, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and the National Football League, over the promotion of high-frequency betting models.