Learn about the impacts Predatory Gambling is having across American society. Watch the excellent sessions below, recorded at our 2025 National Conference.

 

What America Doesn’t Know About Online Gambling

Online gambling has metastasized across the United States, causing life-changing addiction and financial harm for many Americans. Yet despite its massive impacts, public understanding remains limited—and often clouded by myths, outdated perceptions, and deceptive and aggressive marketing. Panelists will unpack what the public and policymakers still don’t fully grasp and what should be done to address this major problem.

Panelists: Michael Clauw, Rob Minnick, Isaac Rose-Berman, Prof. Wayne Taylor, Matt Zarb-Cousin & Moderator: Dr. Kavita Fischer

 

Debunking the Claim That Gambling Revenue Is a State Budget Boost

The primary rationale behind why state governments partner with gambling operators to continually push commercialized gambling into the daily lives of nearly every citizen is the claim that it’s a good long-term source of government revenues. Are these claims true? Learn and discuss the real fiscal impact of commercialized gambling on state budgets with the person many regard as the preeminent expert in the nation on the topic.

Presenter: Dr. Lucy Dadayan

Slides available here.

 

Stop the Harm: Hear from Those Who Experienced Firsthand the Predatory Tactics of the Gambling Industry

Gambling is as addictive as cocaine, opioids and heroin. It carries the highest suicide rate of any addiction, and the top demographic calling gambling addiction helplines is young adults and teens. Yet the gambling industry continues to get a free pass to harm a growing number of Americans. Victims who have experienced first-hand the predatory practices of the industry and those who advocate on their behalf will share their stories in this session and what it’s like to stand up to a multi-billion dollar industry.

Panelists: Ronda Hatefi, Kitty Martz, Gary Schneider, David Tarbert & Moderator: Rob Minnick

 

Debate: Is Commercialized Gambling Regulation the Endgame?

One side in this friendly and spirited debate believes our movement should set the vision that state-sponsored gambling should not be the norm and the endgame is to take government out of the gambling business because it’s been an epic public policy failure by every measure, dispelling the notion that we can “regulate our way out of the problem.” The other side believes widespread commercialized gambling in America is here to stay as a part of daily life and it is realistic to expect that limitations and regulations can be put around it to eliminate the harms it leaves in its wake. There are varying degrees of nuance between those two positions. This will be an invaluable debate among peers as we sharpen one another for the fights ahead.

Panelists: Steven Alm, Les Bernal, Michael Clauw, Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Marcus Oshiro, Isaac Rose-Berman, Prof. Wayne Taylor, Matt Zarb-Cousin

Slides available here.

 

What Are ‘Prediction Markets’ and How Are They Getting Away With Operating Like an Online Gambling Platform?

This session is a must-know primer on the exploding issue of prediction futures markets like Kalshi and Polymarket which are dangerously threatening the autonomy of all states to make decisions on commercialized gambling.

Panelists: Dr. Noah Goodall, Prof. John Kindt, Rob Minnick, Isaac Rose-Berman & Moderator: Russ Coleman

 

Beyond the Sportsbook: Regional Casinos & State Lotteries Are Still Harming Americans

Commercialized sports gambling has largely dominated the national headlines in the last few years, but regional casinos and state lotteries are more aggressive than ever. This session will discuss the major negative impacts that regional casinos and state lotteries are causing citizens and their communities.

Panelists: Dr. Noah Goodall, Rob Kohler, Dr. Jonathan Krutz

 

Lessons for America: Gambling Reform Across the Globe

Other countries are further down the road than the U.S. when it comes to the rapid spread of predatory gambling and attempts to rein it in. Our allies from across the pond will share lessons learned and implications for the United States.

Panelists: Matt Zarb-Cousin, Derek Webb & Moderator: Dr. Jonathan Krutz

 

Harnessing The Power of Digital Media to Shift the Narrative – Even When Facing the Gambling Industry Giant

How to make your audience see, hear, feel and be changed by your message—even when your messaging opponents are louder and have way more money than you.

Panelists: Michael Clauw, Rob Minnick, Matt Zarb-Cousin & Moderator: Autumn Stroup