Drake Accused of Using Illegal Gambling Platform to Boost Streaming Numbers in New Lawsuit

Drake faces a fresh lawsuit alleging he used an online gambling site to artificially inflate his music streams.

When Music Meets Controversy: Drake's New Legal Battle

It seems the drama never stops in Drake’s world. The hip-hop superstar is now under the spotlight once again, but this time not for a chart-topping hit or a surprise album drop. Instead, he’s caught up in a legal storm alleging that he promoted an illegal online gambling platform and used its proceeds to boost his streaming numbers. Intriguing, right? Let’s unpack what’s going on behind the scenes.

Drake electrifying the crowd during a 2025 live performance

The Lawsuit: Who’s Involved and What’s Alleged?

A class-action lawsuit was filed recently in a federal court in Virginia. Not only does it name Drake, but also Twitch streamer Adin Ross, Australian national George Nguyen, and Stake's parent company—the online crypto casino platform at the heart of this controversy.

The plaintiffs, LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines, accuse these parties of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. They are seeking damages of at least $5 million. The crux? They allege that Drake’s paid promotions, including live-streamed gambling sessions and giveaways, lured them into gambling on Stake’s platform, which is supposedly illegal in Virginia.

If you’re wondering about the platform, Stake started back in Australia in 2017, specializing in crypto-based gambling. However, online casino gambling is illegal in Virginia, and the lawsuit claims Stake’s US-facing platform, Stake.us, sidesteps laws through a “disputed legal loophole.”

Watch: Drake and Adin Ross Livestreaming Stake Gameplay

Check out this video of Drake joining Adin Ross for a livestreamed gambling session—a key part of the promotional activity fueling the lawsuit.

The $100 Million Endorsement Deal and Its Fallout

Back in 2022, Drake inked a headline-grabbing endorsement deal with Stake, reportedly worth around $100 million. The lawsuit contends that promotional content starring Drake misrepresented Stake as a legitimate, low-risk platform, encouraging people in states like Virginia—where online gambling is banned—to gamble nonetheless.

But there's more: the plaintiffs claim that Stake’s proceeds were funneled into online “bot farms” and “amplification campaigns” designed to artificially pump up Drake’s streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify. Imagine that—a casino fueling your top-charting hits. Quite the headline grabber, isn’t it?

Official Responses? Crickets

So far, neither Drake nor representatives for Adin Ross, George Nguyen, or Stake have commented on the lawsuit. The silence only adds fuel to the fire, leaving fans and critics alike buzzing with speculation.

Not the First Rodeo: Prior Legal Challenges

This isn’t Drake and Ross's first legal rodeo involving Stake. Back in October, a Missouri case accused them of misleading users by presenting Stake.us as a harmless “social casino” rather than an allegedly illegal gambling platform. That case was shifted to federal court recently, and similarly, no official word has come from the defendants.

Drake’s Gambling History: Big Wins, Bigger Losses

It’s almost poetic how Drake’s gambling saga has unfolded. In June, the rapper revealed he’d lost over $8 million that month alone, having wagered close to $125 million. Ouch! His streak of bad luck with sports betting goes back years and even earned its own nickname—the “Drake curse.” Whether it’s his personal bets or his promotional endeavors, gambling and Drake seem tightly intertwined.

Other Legal Headlines: Defamation Suit Against Universal Music Group

While on the topic of court cases, Drake recently lost a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's diss track “Not Like Us.” The track saw a notable streaming spike after the dismissal, adding another twist to Drake’s complicated relationship with the music industry and his rivals.

Wrapping It Up: A Star in the Legal Crosshairs

So here we are, with Drake once again navigating turbulent waters—this time, allegations that mix gambling with streaming numbers, legality with promotion, and music with money in a complex cocktail of entertainment and controversy.

The suit alleges that promotional materials in which he has starred have misrepresented Stake as legitimate and low risk, encouraging users to gamble in jurisdictions where online casinos are prohibited.

What do you think? Is this just another headline in the saga of a superstar, or something that could shake the music and gambling industries? Let us know your thoughts!

FAQ

• What is the core allegation against Drake in the lawsuit?
  Drake is accused of promoting an illegal online gambling platform and using funds from it to artificially increase his music streaming numbers.
• Who else is named in the lawsuit?
  Twitch streamer Adin Ross, Australian George Nguyen, and Stake’s parent company are also defendants.
• What is Stake, and why is it controversial?
  Stake is a crypto-based online casino platform founded in Australia. It faces legal challenges for operating in jurisdictions like Virginia where online gambling is illegal.
• Has Drake commented on the lawsuit?
  No official statements have been made by Drake or the other accused parties regarding this particular lawsuit.
• Is this the first time Drake has faced legal issues related to gambling?
  No. Previous lawsuits have accused Drake and Adin Ross of misleading users about the nature of the Stake platform.

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