> At a Glance
> – Drake named in federal lawsuit over illegal online casino promotion
> – Plaintiffs allege bot-fueled music streaming boosts and consumer fraud
> – Case seeks $5 M, refunds, and injunction against Stake.us
> – Why it matters: Consumers risk losing real money, and influencer marketing may be misused
Drake is facing a federal lawsuit that accuses him of promoting the online casino Stake.us, a platform that allegedly operates as a real-money gambling site. Plaintiffs claim the rapper helped drive a bot scheme that inflated his music streaming numbers while defrauding consumers.
Lawsuit Overview
The suit, filed in Virginia, names Sweepsteaks Limited, the parent of Stake.us, as well as Drake, Adin Ross, and George Nguyen. Plaintiffs allege violations of the RICO statute and Virginia consumer protection laws, and they seek $5 M in damages, refunds for users, and an injunction against the alleged conduct.
- Sweepsteaks Limited – parent company of Stake.us
- Stake.us – online social casino platform
- Drake – rapper and alleged promoter
- Adin Ross – online streamer and co-defendant
- George Nguyen – alleged bot facilitator
Stake.us Operations
Stake.us markets itself as a social casino where players buy “Gold Coins” to play virtual games. Those coins cannot be cashed out, but players receive “Stake Cash” through purchases and bonuses. Once certain wagering conditions are met, Stake Cash can be redeemed for real money, a structure that the plaintiffs say makes the site indistinguishable from illegal gambling.
Allegations Against Drake
In 2022, Drake signed an endorsement deal with Stake.us reportedly worth $100 M per year. The lawsuit claims he was paid to stream large bets using the company’s money, giving the illusion that he was gambling with his own funds. It also alleges that the money transferred through Stake’s tipping feature was used to fund bots that boosted Drake’s Spotify streams.
Key Takeaways
- The lawsuit targets both the casino platform and its celebrity promoters.
- Plaintiffs seek $5 M plus refunds and a court order to halt the alleged scheme.
- The case highlights potential misuse of influencer marketing for illicit gambling and streaming manipulation.
The outcome of this lawsuit could reshape how online casinos and celebrity endorsements intersect with consumer protection law.
