Gambling Health: CEO urges parents to discuss risks with kids

Jason Robins, chief executive of DraftKings, told CNBC that all parents should discuss gambling addiction with their children. He said the conversation should happen regardless of whether the family works in the industry. Robins shared that he has already held these talks with his own children, who have grown up around the sports betting world.

Robins explained that his kids have learned industry terms like point spreads and money lines. They often ask which side is favored on DraftKings so they know who to root for, a dynamic he finds amusing. He told them the company mechanics when they were young but noted they must wait until age 21 to place bets. He compared this openness to explaining why a parent might drink wine, emphasizing a transparent relationship where children feel comfortable asking questions.

The comments arrive as sports betting expands across the United States. A recent analysis of health records shows gambling disorder diagnoses increased by about 61% in states with legalized sports betting. In states without legalization, cases dropped roughly 30% between 2018 and 2026. The study identified men aged 18 to 29 as having the highest rate of gambling disorder. Authors noted that greater awareness, expanded screening, and improved medical coding also contributed to these trends.

Data from the National Council on Problem Gambling indicates that 8% of American adults, or nearly 20 million people, reported at least one indicator of problematic gambling behavior many times in the past year. Robins said that even a small percentage of users represents a large number of individuals. He cited this as a reason for the company’s investment in user support tools.

DraftKings provides Responsible Gaming features such as account limits and self-exclusion options. Self-exclusion allows customers to block themselves from using the platform. Robins said the company also blocks some accounts based on observed behavior. He argued that self-exclusion can be more effective when states share exclusion lists among regulated operators. The Responsible Online Gaming Association is currently working to create a nationwide self-exclusion list, though privacy laws and regulations complicate the process.

Robins said he would support a requirement for customers to set gambling limits, though he called it a difficult policy question. He wants limit-setting to become as routine as wearing a seat belt. He noted that some customers may feel they do not need the tools, while others may benefit from setting boundaries. He added that customers can choose any number that feels comfortable to them.