DraftKings CEO Says He Would Accept Mandatory Gambling Limits for Players

A health records analysis found gambling disorder diagnoses rose about 61% among people living in states where sports betting is legal. Over the same window from 2018 to 2026, states without legal sports betting recorded declines of roughly 30%. The study put the highest rate of gambling disorder among men ages 18 to 29.

DraftKings chief executive Jason Robins said parents should discuss gambling with their children regardless of whether the family works in the industry. He raised his own kids on the topic, telling CNBC's Contessa Brewer that his children talk about point spreads and money lines at home. Robins said he taught them how the company operates and told them they cannot place bets until they turn 21.

"Every parent, even if you don't have a business or don't live in a world where the kids grow up around it, I think it's something every parent should have conversations with their kids about," Robins said. He described the goal as keeping a transparent relationship where children feel they can ask about anything.

Data from the National Council on Problem Gambling shows 8% of American adults, close to 20 million people, reported at least one indicator of problematic gambling behavior many times in the past year. The authors of the records analysis noted that other factors could partly account for the shifts, including wider awareness of gambling, expanded screening, and increased recognition and medical coding of the condition.

DraftKings provides account limits and self-exclusion, a tool that lets customers block themselves from the company's platforms. Robins said the company also blocks some accounts based on observed behavior. He said self-exclusion can extend further when states share exclusion lists among regulated operators.

Robins said the Responsible Online Gaming Association, which includes major online gaming companies, is building a nationwide self-exclusion list. Privacy laws and regulation complicate that work, he said, but he believes the group is making progress. Robins would not object to a rule requiring customers to set gambling limits, though he called it a difficult policy question, comparing limit-setting to wearing a seat belt. "Everybody has a limit," he said. "You can set whatever number you want." The records analysis covered the period from 2018 to 2026. DraftKings offers tools it calls "Responsible Gaming." The National Council on Problem Gambling reported the 8% figure for American adults. The Responsible Online Gaming Association is working on a national list.

The comments came during an interview with CNBC's Contessa Brewer. Robins said some customers may feel they do not need the tools, while others may benefit from setting boundaries.

The study authors noted that greater awareness of gambling, expanded screening, and increased recognition and medical coding of the condition in recent years could partly explain the trends.