A new federal class-action lawsuit in Virginia alleges that Drake and Adin Ross used funds from the online casino “Stake” to artificially inflate streaming numbers for Drake’s music.
The complaint claims Drake, Adin Ross, and another associate named George Nguyen worked with “Stake” to promote what plaintiffs describe as an illegal gambling operation. It also alleges they used the platform’s internal tipping and transfer tools to disguise payments funneled to bot operators who inflated Drake’s play counts on major streaming services.
The suit argues that “Stake” misleads users by presenting itself as a harmless social casino while enabling real-money gambling through cryptocurrency and gift-card conversions. Plaintiffs say Drake’s high-profile promotions, including livestreamed gambling sessions, encouraged them to join the platform, exposing them to financial risk and addictive behavior.
Drake is not accused of running the casino, but the filings claim he earned about $100 million annually through his partnership and used casino funds to support the alleged streaming manipulation scheme. The lawsuit, filed by LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines, seeks to hold the involved parties accountable.
Difference Between Social Casinos & Real Money Online Casinos
To understand the context of the suit, note the key difference between social casinos and legal online casinos for US players: how they handle currency. Social casinos use real money for entry but pay out in digital tokens or prizes rather than cash, with only a few allowing limited crypto conversions.
Real-money online casinos operate in USD, offer cash payouts, and typically provide a larger selection of casino games. These platforms also offer live dealer games, VIP rewards, welcome and reload bonuses, and other perks that elevate their services.
Has Drake Responded To The Accusations?
No, at the time of this writing, Drake has not released a statement concerning the accusations either personally or through his legal team. Multiple news agencies, including NBC News and Rolling Stone, have reported on the lawsuit, but Drake has not responded to their inquiries.
Are Social Casinos Legal In The United States?
Yes, social casinos are legal in most states since they do not use real currency. Recently, states have begun banning or cracking down on sweepstakes casinos that let players trade digital coins for cryptocurrency. Since most sweepstakes casinos operate outside the US, states can only block URLs and have no jurisdiction to pursue legal action.
Are Online Casinos Legal In The US?
Yes, there are no federal laws that make online casino gambling illegal. Several states have sent cease-and-desist letters to some of the bigger sites that accept their players. However, since offshore casinos are not subject to US laws, states cannot take legal action.