One of the legends of the video game Call of Duty (CoD) is against the legalization of sports gambling.
Jordan “JKap” Kaplan, a two-time CoD World Champion, posted on social media that he agrees with the growing public opinion that legal sports betting is “destroying a generation.”
“I was all for sports gambling being legalized a few years ago, but after seeing it play out, I now fully agree with this,” Kaplan said. His comment was in response to a viral clip of personal finance celebrity Dave Ramsey calling sports betting destructive to society.
In 2016, ESPN called Kaplan the “winningest player in competitive Call of Duty.” He was world champion in 2015 and 2016. “JKap was one of the icons of early Call of Duty esports history, being one of the best players in the game during Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops,” according to an esports fan site.
Kaplan, who lives in Los Angeles, retired in 2020.
Why Kaplan’s Opinion Matters
The esports world has been receptive to sports gambling. The assumption has been that gambling could grow the competitive video game scene. However, the tide appears to be turning.
In 2025, the Danish esports team Ecstatic signed a sponsorship deal with Gamban, a leading tool to block gambling apps and websites. A founder of the esports team had personally struggled with gambling addiction.
Kaplan is one of a growing number of young American men who oppose legal sports betting. A Pew Research Center survey found that nearly half of men under 30 believe legal sports betting is a “bad thing for society,” up from just 22% in 2022.
U.S. public opinion will likely continue to deteriorate as harms mount.
The global esports betting market was valued at $2.5 billion in 2024, according to a sports gambling industry estimate.
Kaplan’s home state of California has considered legalizing sports gambling. Meanwhile, the rise of federally-certified prediction markets has brought more sports betting harm to Californians.
For gambling on Call of Duty, Kaplan’s comments could be a wake-up call for some fans who are struggling.
Discover more from GamblingHarm.org
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
