Table of Contents
Crypto gaming company Stake has released an official statement following reports of a class action lawsuit filed in Missouri, naming Canadian rapper Drake and influencer Adin Ross as defendants. The company stated that it has not been officially served in connection with the case and firmly denies all allegations made in the media.
Stake’s Legal Situation and Background
According to reports, the lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri, naming Sweepsteaks Limited, the company behind Stake.com and Stake.us, as well as Drake and Adin Ross. This marks the first time Drake has been personally named in legal action over his promotion of the gambling brand.
The complaint, spanning 34 pages, claims that the defendants were engaged in “unlawful, unfair, and deceptive practices” by marketing Stake.us as a “social casino.” The lawsuit alleges that the platform actually allowed real-money gambling, disguised as entertainment.
While Stake.us promotes the use of “Gold Coins” for casual play, the complaint says it also sells “Stake Cash,” a digital token that can be redeemed 1:1 for U.S. dollars, effectively turning it into a real-money betting platform. This allegedly violates Missouri’s gambling laws, which prohibit online casino-style gambling.
Drake’s Role in Stake’s Global Expansion
Drake’s partnership with Stake.com goes back to 2022 when he started sharing his massive wagers online. During Super Bowl LVI, he placed $1.25 million in Bitcoin bets, gaining millions of views. Since then, he has hosted high-stakes livestreams featuring roulette and sports bets, often showing wins and losses worth millions.
In one notable case, during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final, Drake revealed he had placed a ₹6.41 crore ($769,200) bet on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to win. After RCB secured the title, he reportedly won ₹11 crore ($1.3 million) using Stake, which created a massive buzz across social media.
Earlier this year, a viral video of Drake throwing a shoe at a drone outside his Sydney penthouse drew attention, with fans speculating that it was a Stake marketing stunt, as the brand’s logo appeared visible in the clip. Reports have suggested that Drake’s promotional deal with Stake is worth around $100 million.
Claims in the Lawsuit
The Missouri class action lawsuit claims that Drake’s gambling livestreams were part of a promotional strategy where he allegedly used Stake’s money rather than his own. The complaint argues that these sessions made gambling appear glamorous and risk-free to millions of young followers.
“Drake’s role as Stake’s unofficial mascot is quietly corrosive he’s glamourizing the platform to millions of impressionable fans,” the complaint reads. “Stake’s influencer marketing, especially through Drake and Ross, is directed at teenagers in Missouri and other states.”
The plaintiff, Justin Killham from Independence, Missouri, filed the suit on behalf of players who claim they lost money gambling through Stake.us. The case alleges violations of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, illegal gambling, and unjust enrichment, seeking both financial restitution and an injunction to stop Stake’s operations in the state.
Stake’s Growing Legal Battles
This Missouri lawsuit adds to Stake’s expanding list of legal challenges across the U.S. In 2025, the company has already faced lawsuits in California, Illinois, Alabama, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Minnesota over similar claims.
Earlier this year, the City of Los Angeles also filed a civil enforcement action against Stake.us, accusing it of running an illegal online gambling operation in violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law. That case did not name Drake as a defendant.
Despite the controversies, Stake remains one of the world’s most profitable crypto gambling operators, reporting $4.7 billion in revenue in 2024 and handling more than $219 billion in Bitcoin transactions annually.
Also Read: South Korean Police Bust $15 Million Illegal Gambling Ring Targeting Teenagers
