Boston to host major symposium examining risks of online gambling
The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) will host an international symposium examining the risks of online gambling as policymakers and researchers intensify scrutiny of the sector.
The event, titled “Online Gambling and the Public Health Movement”, will take place on April 24, 2026 at Northeastern University in Boston, bringing together academics, public health experts and lawmakers to assess the rapid expansion of digital betting.
PHAI Executive Director Mark Gottlieb said it was important to bring together lawmakers and researches to find the best public policy for this “addictive” product.
“Over the past twenty years, online gambling has come to dominate American sports, and particularly the world of sports,” he said.
“We firmly believe gambling should be regulated like any other addictive product. By convening international researchers and U.S. leaders, this symposium will highlight how evidence-based policies can reduce harm and protect public health.”
The symposium follows a wave of product liability lawsuits filed by PHAI against gambling operators, signalling a growing legal and regulatory focus on the industry.
Since the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn the federal sports betting ban, online wagering has expanded significantly via mobile platforms. Emerging products such as micro betting and AI-driven systems have raised fresh concerns around consumer protection and addiction risks.
Recent Ipsos data underscores shifting public sentiment, with 56% of Americans believing sports betting undermines sporting integrity and 47% viewing it as harmful.
PHAI’s Director of Gambling Policy Dr. Harry Levant said comprehensive regulation and putting people first was the only way forward for online gambling in the USA.
“The rapid expansion of online gambling demands a public health response,” he said.
“This landmark event will bring together the world’s leading voices in the public health movement to confront the state of online gambling and the urgent need for comprehensive regulation to protect individuals and families from an industry that continues to prioritize profits over public health.”
The symposium will also examine proposed legislation, including the SAFE Bet Act and state-level measures targeting high-risk gambling products.
So far, seven US states have regulated online casinos, while 39 currently have some form of legal sports betting, ranging from tribal-based models to fully fledged online gambling industries.
