When One Person Gambles, Everyone Loses — PHAI Is Taking Action
Photograph by Alyssa Stone
Northeastern Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) recently launched Family and Friends of Gamblers (FFOG) to address an often-overlooked dimension of the gambling crisis: For every person struggling with a gambling disorder, an estimated eight to ten family members and friends also endure significant harm.
“The gambling industry has largely followed Big Tobacco’s playbook, and the result is unacceptable levels of public harm,” said Professor Richard Daynard, head of FFOG and president of PHAI. “Just as growing awareness of secondhand smoke enabled major policy reform, FFOG will soon play a central role in shaping a robust public health response to gambling.”
The launch comes amid the rapid expansion of online gambling since the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, legalizing sports gambling in 39 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC.
FFOG welcomes new members and supporters and operates under the motto “Hurt by gambling. Silent no longer.” Visit hurtbygambling.org to find out more.
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