Ben Affleck revealed a surprising parenting moment this week when he shared that his 13-year-old son, Samuel, recently asked him for money to bet on sports. The actor made the candid confession while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on January 5, where he recounted being caught completely off guard by the request.
“My son asked me like a month ago,” Affleck told host Jimmy Kimmel. “‘Hey, um, can I get 100 bucks to bet on sports?’” The audience reacted with laughter as Affleck recalled his disbelief.
A Parenting Moment That Left Affleck Speechless
Affleck, 53, said his son tried to justify the idea by explaining that his friends also get money to gamble, but with limits. “He’s like, ‘My friends get $100, but if they lose it, then that’s it,’” Affleck said. “I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s a real standard—what discipline!’” The actor joked that he imagined the slippery slope such habits could lead to, poking fun at obsessive sports betting logic. The lighthearted story struck a chord with viewers, especially parents navigating similar conversations with teenagers.
Gambling History Runs in the Family
During the interview, Affleck also reflected on his own upbringing and family history with gambling. He revealed that his father, Timothy Byers Affleck, once worked as a small-time bookie while also holding a bar job. Affleck shared vivid memories from his childhood, recalling how winnings from football bets paid for household items. “Our first washing machine, our first VCR—dad came home like, ‘You can thank Steve Grogan for this,’” he joked, referencing the former New England Patriots quarterback.
“At the time, it was kind of shameful and illegal,” Affleck added with a laugh. “The statute of limitations has run out. Sorry, dad.”
Affleck’s Own Well-Documented Gambling Past
The topic also resurfaced Affleck’s own complicated relationship with gambling. In 2014, he was famously banned from playing blackjack at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino after being accused of counting cards. In a later interview with Vanity Fair, Affleck defended himself, saying he simply learned how to play the game well. “The fact that being good at the game is against the rules at casinos should tell you something,” he said at the time. Affleck has consistently maintained that he does not suffer from a gambling addiction, though reports have noted significant losses over the years, including a $60,000 loss at a Los Angeles blackjack table in 2019.
Humor, Honesty, and a Relatable Family Story
Despite his past, Affleck’s tone on Jimmy Kimmel Live! remained reflective rather than alarmist. His story about his son was shared as a humorous example of how exposure to sports culture and betting talk has become increasingly common among younger generations. For fans, the moment offered a rare glimpse into Affleck’s life as a father—balancing humor, honesty, and hard-earned perspective while navigating an unexpected parenting challenge.
