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State of Play
- A federal class-action lawsuit accuses Drake, Adin Ross, and Stake.us of promoting an illegal online gambling operation targeting US users.
- This case highlights the growing scrutiny of influencer-backed gambling platforms operating in legal “gray” areas, impacting bettors nationwide.
- Players and operators alike should watch closely as the sweepstakes casino industry faces increased regulatory pressure on transparency and consumer protection.
On Dec. 31, 2025, a class-action lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, accusing hip-hop star Drake, streamer Adin Ross, the online gambling platform Stake.us, and co-defendant George Nguyen of facilitating illegal gambling promotions.
Plaintiffs LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines, identified as Stake.us users in the US, allege that the defendants used Stake.us’s internal transfer and tipping features to obscure money flows while artificially inflating Drake’s music play counts across platforms like Spotify.
The lawsuit claims that promotional campaigns encouraged unlawful gambling and seeks over $5 million in damages and court intervention to shut down the alleged predatory operation.
Suit Claims Stake.us operating in US illegally since 2022
Central to the lawsuit is the claim that Stake.us has operated illegally in the US since 2022, mislabeling itself as a “social casino” that does not permit real-money gambling to evade regulatory scrutiny.
Plaintiffs argue this was a deliberate tactic to mask a profitable online gambling platform that exposed consumers to significant financial risks without proper disclosure.
High-profile endorsements from Drake, Adin Ross, and others allegedly misled large audiences about the legal risks involved and the true nature of gambling activities. The complaint emphasizes that users were not adequately informed about wager mechanisms, winnings redemption, and internal transfer processes, creating a predatory environment risking addiction and financial harm while failing to promote responsible gambling.
Based on reporting by Jamal Osborne for Hollywood Unlocked.
