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
in the news

Mass Gaming Comission
October 30, 2024 – PHAI has filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, seeking to compel the agency to collect detailed gambling data and make it accessible to researchers. This initiative is designed to support studies on gambling-related harm, with the goal of improving public health measures.