Blumenthal and Tonko Lead Push for Federal Gambling Oversight

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.