In the world of A-list parenting, Ben Affleck has seen it all, but his young son recently managed to catch him completely off guard. Appearing as the first guest of 2026 on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” the two-time Oscar winner sat down to promote his new Netflix thriller, “The Rip.” While the conversation touched on his long-standing “rivalry” with Matt Damon and his early days in Boston, it was a recent anecdote about his son’s sudden interest in the family business, the betting side, that had the audience in stitches.
Ben Affleck reveals his son asked for money to ‘bet on sports’
The conversation took a hilarious turn when Ben Affleck began reminiscing about his childhood in Boston. Back when his father worked as a “small-time bookie.” While Affleck joked about the days when a New England Patriots win meant the family could finally afford a VCR. He was taken aback to realize that history seemed to be repeating itself in a modern way.
“Kids today, my son, this toddler asked me like a month ago, was like, ‘Hey, can I get like a hundred bucks to bet on sports?'” Affleck told Kimmel. The request visibly stunned the actor, especially given his son’s age. When the actor naturally replied with a firm “No,” the youngster was reportedly baffled.
According to the “Batman” actor, his son tried to justify the ask by explaining the “discipline” his peers supposedly use. Affleck quoted his son saying, “‘My friends get a hundred dollars, but if they lose it, then that’s it.'”
Affleck couldn’t help but marvel at the logic, joking to Kimmel, “I’m like, oh, that’s a real standard. What discipline!” He eventually shut down the request by reminding his son of the family history.” He quipped, “I was like, there’s a reason your grandpa is broke.”
Originally written by Samridhi Goel on Momtastic.
