Jason Robins

Robins has been key to the legalization and mainstream growth of sports betting in the U.S. His vision led the company’s swift pivot from daily fantasy into the legal sports betting market, cementing his reputation as a major player in American sports technology.

Early Life, Education, and Career Foundation

Robins was born in the United States in 1982. He grew up interested in both sports and technology, a combination that proved critical for his later business success.

Education at Duke University

Robins attended Duke University, where he graduated with a degree in Economics and Computer Science. This dual focus gave him the strong analytical and data-driven skills he would later use to build the DraftKings platform.

Early Professional Roles

Before starting DraftKings, Robins gained experience in finance and digital marketing:

• Capital One: He began his career here, focusing on customer behavior modeling and using data to understand consumer patterns.
• Vistaprint (now Cimpress): He later specialized in growth marketing, learning how to scale a business and acquire users through online strategies. He co-founded DraftKings with two former Vistaprint colleagues.

Founding and Growth of DraftKings

In 2011, Robins co-founded DraftKings with Matt Kalish and Paul Liberman. They officially launched the daily fantasy sports (DFS) platform in 2012 from Liberman’s spare bedroom in Watertown, Massachusetts.

The core idea was to offer a fantasy sports product that only required a short-term commitment, such as a single day or week, instead of an entire season. This innovative model quickly caught on with sports fans.

Key Milestones Under Robins’ Leadership

Robins has led DraftKings through several major phases, including regulatory challenges and a massive market expansion.

• 2013-2015: DraftKings secured major deals, including becoming the first DFS provider to partner with Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2013. The company also acquired rivals like DraftStreet and StarStreet to increase its market share.
• Regulatory Navigation: In the mid-2010s, several states challenged DFS, questioning if it counted as illegal gambling. Robins was instrumental in lobbying efforts that resulted in the legalization of DFS in multiple states by 2016.
• Sports Betting Launch: When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018, Robins quickly shifted the company’s focus. DraftKings launched the first legal online sportsbook in New Jersey, beating many established casino companies to the market.
• Public Listing: In April 2020, DraftKings went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbol DKNG. This was achieved through a reverse merger, a move that showcased the company’s rapid growth and market value, which peaked above $20 billion at one point.

As CEO, Robins continues to lead the company’s expansion into new states, its push into online casino gaming (iGaming), and its focus on using artificial intelligence (AI) to personalize the betting experience for American sports fans.

Net Worth and Industry Recognition

Robins’ financial standing is heavily tied to his ownership stake in DraftKings stock, which has led to dramatic fluctuations in his estimated wealth over the years.

Robins has received several professional honors for his innovative work in the gaming industry:

• 2025: The Most Influential Figure in the US iGaming Industry by US iGaming Hub
• 2024: The Most Influential Figure in the US iGaming Industry by US iGaming Hub
• 2015: Received Ernst & Young’s New England Entrepreneur of the Year award.
• 2014: Named to the Boston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list.

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Robins maintains a private personal life, residing in Boston, Massachusetts, where DraftKings is headquartered.

• Family: He is married to Jacqueline Robins, and the couple has two children.
• Personal Interests: He remains an avid sports fan and balances his demanding role with an interest in technology and entrepreneurship.
• Philanthropy: Robins and his family support charitable causes focused on education, health, and sports development. Through DraftKings, he is also involved in corporate giving initiatives that benefit veterans and other community-focused groups.