DraftKings CEO urges parents to discuss gambling risks with children

DraftKings chief executive Jason Robins told CNBC on Tuesday that all parents should discuss gambling addiction with their children. He stated that he has already had these conversations with his own kids and described the process as a way to maintain transparency.

Robins said his children have grown up around the sports betting industry and understand terms like point spreads and money lines. He noted that they often ask which side he is supporting on the platform for the day. Although they know how the company operates, he explained that they must wait until age 21 to place their own bets.

The CEO compared the conversation to explaining wine consumption to a child. He said the goal is for kids to feel comfortable asking questions about money and habits. Robins emphasized that keeping lines of communication open helps normalize the topic rather than hiding it.

His comments arrive as new data suggests a link between legalized sports betting and health outcomes. A recent analysis of medical records found that diagnoses of gambling disorder increased by 61% in states with legal sports betting. In contrast, cases in states without legalization dropped by roughly 30% from 2018 to 2026.

The study identified men aged 18 to 29 as the group with the highest rate of the condition. Authors of the report noted that increased medical awareness and better coding practices may also contribute to the statistical rise. National Council on Problem Gambling data indicates that 8% of American adults, nearly 20 million people, reported problematic gambling behavior multiple times in the past year.

Robins said DraftKings offers tools such as account limits and self-exclusion options. He explained that the company also blocks some accounts based on observed user behavior. He argued that state-level exclusion lists are helpful because regulated operators can share data, but he said the industry is working on a national list through the Responsible Online Gaming Association.

Privacy laws complicate the creation of a national list, but Robins said the group is making progress. He said he would not object to mandatory limit-setting rules for customers. He compared setting a limit to wearing a seat belt, noting that while some users may not need the tools, others benefit from clear boundaries.