Public Health Advocacy Institute Class Action Against DraftKings Advances
The class action lawsuit brought by Northeastern Law’s Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) against DraftKings is advancing through the Boston courts. The suit alleges that the online gambling website’s 2023 offer of a $1,000 signup bonus constituted unfair and deceptive marketing practice and false advertising. In August, Judge Debra Squires-Lee released a decision denying DraftKings’ motion to dismiss the suit. In December, PHAI headed back to court for a hearing on ground rules for discovery in the high-profile case.
“In early 2025, PHAI looks forward to deposing the DraftKings personnel responsible for developing this deceptive promotion,” said Mark Gottlieb ’93, executive director of PHAI.
Gottlieb (left) and Daynard
Photograph by Mark Ostow
In early 2025, PHAI looks forward to deposing the DraftKings personnel responsible for developing this deceptive promotion.”.
The PHAI team has also filed a lawsuit asking the Massachusetts Superior Court to issue a mandamus order against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, citing the commission’s failure to meet its obligations to make casino player data available to researchers under Section 97 of the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act. “The commission has utterly failed to make important data available to researchers to help us assess and understand the impact of gambling in the five years since casinos have been operating in the commonwealth,” said Professor Richard Daynard, president of PHAI. “This is simply unacceptable.”
PHAI is also working with Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on the SAFE Bet Act, the first federal legislative initiative to address the vast public health implications of mobile sports betting since sports betting was legalized in 2018. “When the SAFE Bet Act is enacted, federal standards will be set to create a safer and less addictive betting environment by addressing advertising, affordability and artificial intelligence issues,” said Daynard
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The law school’s Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) recently filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit against Caesars Online Casino in Pennsylvania state court alleging that its $2,500 deposit match promotion for new customers is misleading, predatory and likely illegal.
“Today, if we are on our knees, we need to rise up and resist regressive efforts. And optimism serves as the fuel for a continued and successful campaign to recruit others to join in. As you enter the profession, I hope that you will find ways to join in this effort, even if it is in small ways.” Ralph C. Martin II ’78 told the more than 200 JD, LLM and MLS students who graduated on May 2, 2025, in Matthews Arena.
Professor Antoinette Coakley, assistant dean of Northeastern Law’s Bar Success Program, was recognized in March as one of the 57 Most Influential Black Attorneys in the Northeast by the Northeast Black Law Students Association (NEBLSA).
