# Compound Partner Michael Dempsey Calls for Gambling to Start at Age 26

By Sonny Jang

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/people/52251
Published: 2026-11-09T11:28:59.000Z
Updated: 2026-11-09T11:28:59.000Z
Section: People

> He said younger people may enter speculation before understanding compounding. Dempsey also said sports betting paid part of his living expenses in college.

Michael Dempsey, a managing partner at Compound, argues that gambling should be limited to people 26 and older. He said younger people may become involved in speculation before they understand how compounding builds value over time.

Dempsey made the case in an Oct. 19 interview. He said sports betting covered part of his living expenses while he was in college and that he had traded options since age 18.

Dempsey said he opposes prediction markets and excessive gambling. He has also criticized a focus on short-term gains and what he sees as a declining interest in creating things.