Instaspin casino
- Up to $2,500
- Accepts players w/w
Does Drake Promote Illegal Gambling with Stake?
2025-11-06
Drake Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Illegal Gambling Promotion with Stake
Canadian rapper Drake and popular streamer Adin Ross are under serious scrutiny after being named in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. state of Missouri. The two casino influencers allegedly misled viewers by pretending to gamble with their own money during livestreams on the Stake platform.
According to the complaint, both Drake and Ross were actually betting with funds provided by Stake itself — not their personal bankrolls. This means their audiences, many of whom are young and impressionable fans, may have been given a false sense of how easy and risk-free gambling can appear online.
Online Casinos Are Banned in Missouri
Missouri law currently restricts gambling to physical casinos, most of which operate on riverboats. Online casino gaming is still prohibited in the state. Prosecutors argue that Stake was therefore operating illegally in Missouri — a key reason why the lawsuit was filed there.
The Loophole: Stake.us vs Stake.com
Globally, Stake.com allows players to gamble with real money. However, its U.S. counterpart, Stake.us, markets itself as a “social casino” or “sweepstakes casino.”
Instead of cash, users play with virtual coins like Gold Coins and Sweep Coins. Under certain conditions, these tokens can still be redeemed for real-world prizes or cash, blurring the line between entertainment and gambling.
Although Stake.us claims to offer a “just-for-fun” experience, critics argue it functions much like a real online casino, since players can still win actual money.
Lawsuit Alleges Scheme to Evade U.S. Gambling Laws
The plaintiffs claim that Stake.us was deliberately structured to bypass U.S. gambling regulations, and that Drake and Adin Ross actively helped promote this system to their followers.
The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for affected players and demands a court injunction to prevent Stake and the involved influencers from continuing these promotional activities.
Why This Matters for Canadian Players
Although the case is unfolding in the U.S., it raises important questions for Canadian players about celebrity endorsements and transparency in online gambling. With Drake’s massive influence and the rapid growth of crypto-based casinos like Stake, regulators may soon take a closer look at how gambling brands are marketed across borders.
