Sports betting is already infiltrating the next generation in Hollywood - at least if Ben Affleck's recent comments are anything to go by.
Key Takeaways
- Affleck’s son said his friends were given $100, but if they were to lose it, they would be cut off.
- The famous actor and director revealed his father acted as an illegal bookie.
- The American Gaming Association estimated Americans would wager $160 billion to $170 billion on sports in 2025.
Affleck, known for starring in movies such as “Good Will Hunting” and “Argo,” was the first guest to appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” in 2026.
While promoting his new movie with Matt Damon called "The Rip,” Affleck slipped into a story about his father’s background as a bookie after being asked about his New England Patriots fandom. He then revealed the conversation he had with his son.
“My son asked me a month ago, ‘Hey, can I get $100 to bet on sports?’” Affleck said Monday. “I was like, ‘What?’”
His son, whose mother is Affleck’s ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, told him his friends get $100 to bet with, “but if they lose it, then that’s it.”
“Oh, that's a real standard, what discipline!” Affleck joked. “Like, so that you don't come twitching back. ... I was like, ‘There's a reason your grandfather is broke.’”
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Big business in sports betting, predictions
While Affleck's father may have operated at a time when sports betting was illegal, it is now legal in 39 states, and it’s quite pervasive.
The American Gaming Association estimated that Americans would wager $160 billion to $170 billion on sports in 2025 across 38 states and Washington D.C. That estimate did not include Missouri, which launched its legal online sports betting market Dec. 1.
The desire for opportunities to win money hinging on the outcome of sports events led to prediction platforms such as Kalshi, Robinhood, and Crypto.com launching sports event contracts. Notably, these platforms are federally regulated and so are not required to receive state licensing, which has allowed them access to jurisdictions where sportsbooks are prohibited.
Prediction platforms exploded in popularity during the NFL season. Market leader Kalshi’s annualized trading volume increased from $300 million to between $40 billion and $50 billion since August 2025, according to Foresight Ventures. Kalshi also hit $2.3 billion in trades during the week ending Dec. 21, which marked Week 16 of the NFL campaign.
Sports betting poised for further expansion
While prediction platforms are highly controversial and facing litigation in several states, sports betting has shown constant growth since it was legalized federally in 2018.
The 11 states yet to legalize represent a minority that is opposed to the sweeping fad. However, even some of those holdouts have shown a willingness to engage in discussions.
Georgia fielded several sports betting-related bills in 2025, although none were approved. Oklahoma has also displayed interest in legalizing, and a recent proposal would loop in the Oklahoma City Thunder as benefactors of a legalization method.
