law in the service of public health

The Public Health Advocacy Institute is a pioneer in the use of litigation and advocacy to protect, defend, and enhance public health.

Our Mission

Through our affiliation with Northeastern University School of Law, we seek big ideas to advance public health and justice.

Our Litigation

Our Center for Public Health Litigation has brought successful cases across the nation, including landmark tobacco cases, litigation aimed at predatory gambling, and more.

Our Values

We are a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to using law and policy to reduce addiction, death, and disease caused by dangerous for-profit products and policies.

60 minutes

On February 4th, 60 Minutes ran a piece on sports betting featuring our President, Richard Daynard, Executive Director Mark Gottlieb, and Director of Gambling Policy, Harry Levant.

Watch the piece to learn more about the harm of legalized sports betting and the predatory practices used by the gambling industry

Learn More

in the news

PHAI Files Class Action Against Abbott Labs

January 14, 2025 – PHAI has filed a class action suit against Abbott Labs for misleadingly marketing its “toddler milk” products to parents and caregivers of children aged 12 to 36 months.

Poker chips stacked on a wooden table with playing cards and blurred glass in the background.

MGC Lawsuit

October 30, 2024 – The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) has filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, aiming to compel the agency to collect detailed gambling data and make it accessible to researchers. This initiative is intended to support studies on gambling-related harm, aiming for improved public health measures.

SAFE Bet Act

September 12th, 2024 – PHAI members Harry Levant and Mark Gottlieb joined Congressional Leaders to unveil the SAFE Bet Act to address sports betting risks

Mass Court Rejects DraftKings Motion to Dismiss

August 21st, 2024 – A court in Boston released its decision denying DraftKings’ Motion to dismiss a class action filed by PHAI last December that alleged its $1,000 signup bonus was an unfair and deceptive marketing practice and constituted false advertising.