> At a Glance
> – Ben Affleck’s son Samuel, 13, asked for $100 to bet on sports
> – The actor quickly shut down the request on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”
> – Affleck revealed his own childhood surrounded by gambling
> – Why it matters: Celebrity parents face the same money talks as everyone else
Ben Affleck drew a hard line when his teenage son requested gambling money, turning the moment into both a parenting lesson and a candid late-night story.
The $100 Request
On the January 5 episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Affleck recalled Samuel’s pitch: “Hey, um, can I get like 100 bucks to bet on sports?” The 53-year-old responded with disbelief: “It’s like, what?”
Samuel tried to justify the ask, noting friends “get $100, but if they lose it, then that’s it.” Affleck mocked the logic, imitating a kid begging for a second stake: “I know that Green Bay is going to cover the over in the second half.”
A Family History of Gambling
Affleck linked the moment to his own upbringing, explaining that his father, Timothy Affleck, once worked as a bookie:
- First washing machine paid for by Patriots bets
- First VCR funded when gamblers kept taking New England to beat the spread
- “Straight-up illegal. It was criminal,” he admitted
> “There’s a reason your grandfather’s broke!” he told Samuel.
Teaching Financial Boundaries
This wasn’t Samuel’s first big-money request. In April, the teen asked for $6,000 sneakers. Affleck’s response: “I have the money! You’re broke.”
Affleck believes setting limits serves his kids:
- Samuel now owns no “crazy expensive fancy shoes”
- The actor suggested the teen work 1,000 hours at minimum wage if he wants luxury items
- “He may not want to spend that on a pair of sneakers” after earning it
Affleck shares Violet (20), Seraphina (17), and Samuel (13) with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
Key Takeaways
- Celebrity kids test boundaries just like any children
- Affleck uses humor and firm rules to teach money management
- His own childhood with a bookie father shapes his strict stance
- The actor insists kids understand the value of work before big purchases
By rejecting both the gambling stake and the pricey shoes, Affleck hopes Samuel learns that money comes from effort, not handouts.
