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Ben Affleck Says 13-Year-Old Son Asked for $100 to Bet on Sports

He used a Jimmy Kimmel appearance to frame a parenting lesson rooted in his family's gambling past.

Overview

  • Affleck told Jimmy Kimmel Live that his son Samuel recently asked for $100 to place a sports bet, saying his friends get the same amount with a one-and-done limit.
  • The actor recalled that his father was a “small-time bookie,” joked that the statute of limitations has run out, and quipped, “There’s a reason your grandpa’s broke.”
  • He reacted with disbelief to the request, poked fun at the supposed discipline of a $100 cap, and referenced the urge to chase losses with a Green Bay betting joke.
  • Outlets connected the story to Affleck’s approach to money with his kids, noting he previously refused to buy Samuel $6,000 designer sneakers and told him to earn the cash.
  • Coverage paired the anecdote with concerns about youth gambling, citing research on teen impulsivity and a 2023 NCAA finding that 67% of on-campus college students bet on sports as legal wagering spreads in many states.