Jason Robins runs DraftKings, one of the largest sports betting and iGaming companies in the United States. He co-founded the company in 2012 and has served as CEO ever since. Robins helped turn a fantasy sports startup into a public company that shapes how Americans bet on sports.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Jason Robins
- Title: CEO and co-founder
- Company: DraftKings, Inc.
- Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts
- Tenure: 2012 to present
- Education: Duke University, Bachelor of Science
Career Timeline
Robins started his career away from gambling. He worked in marketing and analysis at Capital One from 2003 to 2008. He then moved to Vistaprint, where he spent four years in marketing and analytics before launching DraftKings.
| Years | Role | Company |
| 2003-2008 | Marketing & Analysis | Capital One |
| 2008-2012 | Marketing & Analytics | Vistaprint |
| 2012-present | CEO & Co-Founder | DraftKings, Inc. |
Education
Robins studied at Duke University from 1999 to 2003. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree covering economics, computer science, and mathematics. That mix of skills shaped how he later built DraftKings around data and technology.
How Jason Robins Built DraftKings
Robins launched DraftKings in 2012 with co-founders Matt Kalish and Paul Liberman. The three worked out of a spare bedroom when they started. Robins says the company grew faster than he expected.
Major League Baseball invested in DraftKings in 2013. That marked the first time a professional sports league backed a daily fantasy sports company. DraftKings paid out $50 million in prizes that same year.
By 2014, DraftKings had one million registered players and more than 50,000 daily active users. The company then acquired rival platforms DraftStreet and StarStreet to grow its user base further.
DraftKings entered online sports betting in 2018. That was the same year the US Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting known as PASPA. DraftKings opened its first legal sportsbook in New Jersey and has since expanded to nearly 20 states.
The company went public in April 2020 through a merger with Diamond Eagle Acquisition Corp. Its market value stood at $3.3 billion at launch and reached $12 billion by that August. DraftKings then added an online casino in 2022, offering slots, blackjack, and roulette.
That year, DraftKings also acquired Golden Nugget Online Gaming. The deal expanded its casino brand and customer base heading into 2023.
DraftKings’ 2026 Push Into Prediction Markets
Robins has spent 2026 pushing DraftKings into prediction markets, a fast-growing rival to traditional sports betting. The company launched its own exchange, called DKeX, and plans to invest between $200 million and $300 million in the space this year.
More than 600,000 customers used DraftKings Predictions in the first half of 2026. Robins told investors the product is growing faster than the company expected. DraftKings reported 3.6 million average monthly players in the second quarter of 2026, up 9.1% from a year earlier.
Robins has publicly pushed back against rivals like Kalshi and Polymarket. He argues prediction markets favor sophisticated traders over casual bettors, much like early daily fantasy sports did.
Awards and Recognition
- American Gambling Awards C-Suite Executive of the Year, 2025
- Runner-up, American Executive of the Year, Global Gaming Awards Las Vegas, 2023
- Runner-up, Digital Operator of the Year, Global Gaming Awards, 2021
- Named to Fortune’s list of the most influential business leaders under 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jason Robins?
Jason Robins is the CEO and co-founder of DraftKings. He studied at Duke University and built DraftKings alongside Matt Kalish and Paul Liberman starting in 2012.
When did Jason Robins start DraftKings?
Robins co-founded DraftKings in 2012. He worked in marketing roles at Capital One and Vistaprint beforehand.
What is Jason Robins’ role in the prediction markets space?
Robins is leading DraftKings’ expansion into prediction markets through its DKeX exchange. He has committed up to $300 million to the effort in 2026.
What awards has Jason Robins won?
Robins won C-Suite Executive of the Year at the American Gambling Awards in 2025. He has also earned runner-up honors at the Global Gaming Awards.
Where is DraftKings headquartered?
DraftKings is based in Boston, Massachusetts.