FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF GAMBLERS (FFOG) NAMES INITIAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS IT LAUNCHES "TRUTH & INTEGRITY: THE MOVEMENT FOR GAMBLING REFORM"

• As gambling, prediction market, and sports-league money flood the gambling reform movement, FFOG will remain free from outside influence as member families fight to stem the online sports betting epidemic;
  
  
• FFOG calls on all those involved in problem gambling councils to join FFOG—for an independent, public health approach to addressing gambling-related harm.

BOSTON, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) and Families and Friends of Gamblers (FFOG) today announced the appointment of FFOG's initial Board of Directors—signaling the next step in its recently launched: Truth & Integrity: The Movement for Gambling Reform.

The announcement comes days after the resignation of Heather Maurer, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), and amid growing questions about the influence of funding from gambling companies, sports leagues and prediction markets on the gambling reform movement.

FFOG's new Board of Directors are all esteemed professionals with no connection to gambling interests or the sports/betting industry. Initial members of the Board of Directors include:

1. Professor Richard Daynard, Chairman: A trailblazer in public health law and strategic litigation, best known for his work against the tobacco industry.
2. Professor Mark Gottlieb, Co-Treasurer: As Executive Director of the Public Health Advocacy Institute, Mark focuses on addressing public health harms through research, litigation, and policy.
3. Dr. Harry Levant, Secretary: A leading advocate for gambling-related reform, focused on public health solutions and regulation in the gambling industry.
4. W. Gordon Douglas, CPA: A former tax partner with a large national accounting firm with 40 years of experience with business clients and owners including business transactions, estate planning for stronger protections and policy reforms around gambling.
5. Franny Maguire Glomb: An activist, advocate, executive, and philanthropist dedicated to advancing meaningful social change.
6. John Hanamirian, Esq.: A tax attorney and founding shareholder with extensive experience in tax law, business transactions, litigation, and financial matters.
7. Dr. Deborah Haskins: A recognized advocate for problem gambling and mental health with decades of experience in counseling, education, and gambling-related advocacy.
8. Michelle McIver, LCSW: A behavioral healthcare executive with more than 18 years of experience leading organizations focused on mental health and substance use treatment.
9. Dr. Thomas J. Powell: A financier, entrepreneur, and scholar with more than 30 years of experience in banking, private equity, securities law, and financial strategy.
10. Brian Quinn, Esq.: A Pennsylvania attorney, advocate, and keynote speaker with five decades of legal experience, focused on professional wellness, substance use, gambling, and recovery.

FFOG's board represents expertise across public health, law research, advocacy, and firsthand experience with gambling-related harm. FFOG and Truth & Integrity: The Movement for Gambling Reform will continue to work together to bring researchers, public-health professionals, advocates, and families together to drive meaningful change in the industry.

"We are inviting people to join something new," said Professor Richard Daynard. "FFOG is independent, family-first, and focused on reform."

"You don't have to leave other organizations, nor do you have to agree with all of our positions," Mark Gottlieb added. "But if you believe online gambling is an epidemic and must be treated as the public health crisis it is, we invite you to be a part of this movement."

Fears Gambling-Related Funding is Corrupting the Reform Movement

In recent months, NCPG has faced scrutiny after creating a prediction markets category of sponsorship, following a $2 million investment from Kalshi. The Michigan Gaming Control Board, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (Washington State) later withdrew their memberships in NCPG, and the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling ended its affiliation with the national group.

PHAI and FFOG believe it is time for the national gambling-reform movement to undergo a renewal toward independence from these interests—taking an approach grounded in public health and the personal experiences of those affected by gambling-related harm.

"The country needs a strong and independent voice to speak up on the harm the leagues, gambling companies, and prediction markets are causing," said Dr. Harry Levant, Treasurer of FFOG. "FFOG and its board are bringing together leading voices from public health, law, research, and lived experiences to help build that movement."

Dr. Levant added: "As industry money has flooded the gambling reform movement, the effects can be shocking. For instance, it is likely no coincidence that since the Supreme Court struck down PASPA the NCPG have never opposed any position taken by the gambling industry or the sports leagues."

PHAI and FFOG also point to what they describe as the scientifically flawed "Responsible Gaming (RG)" model, which places much of the responsibility for gambling-related harm on consumers, telling them to "just bet smart." Gambling companies, sports leagues, and prediction market operators have all paid to shape how gambling harm is defined and addressed, and these conflicted financial interests continue to provide resources

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Families, advocates, policymakers, and members of the public are invited to join PHAI and FFOG and become part of Truth and Integrity: The Movement for Gambling Reform.

Learn more and join the organization today.

About The Public Health Advocacy Institute

As a nonprofit legal research center focused on public health law, PHAI is uniquely suited to bring this lawsuit. PHAI was founded and is led by Dr. Richard Daynard, whose pioneering work on tobacco product liability litigation in the 1990s led to multibillion-dollar settlements with companies that had evaded liability for decades for selling dangerous tobacco products.

In 2014, PHAI formed the Center for Public Health Litigation, a nonprofit law firm that uses the civil justice system to improve public health by focusing on litigation targeting tobacco industry products, unhealthy foods, deceptive health marketing, and deceptive gambling practices.

For more information on PHAI and its work, visit phai.org

About Families and Friends of Gamblers

Families and Friends of Gamblers (FFOG) is a nonprofit membership organization representing families and friends impacted by gambling addiction. Founded in 2025 with the support of the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI), FFOG was created to give voice to the countless families and friends of people struggling with gambling disorder and gambling-related harm.

Through advocacy, public education, and community organizing, FFOG works to raise awareness of gambling-related harm, demand accountability, and advance comprehensive public health reform and regulation of the gambling industry and its sports and technology partners.

For more information or to join FFOG, visit hurtbygambling.org

SOURCE Families and Friends of Gamblers