Published on: January 2, 2026, 08:52h.
Updated on: January 2, 2026, 08:52h.
- Drake and Adin Ross are facing another lawsuit regarding their endorsement of Stake
- Stake operates as an unregulated sweepstakes casino site
A recently proposed class-action lawsuit lodged in a Virginia federal court claims that music icon Drake and internet star Adin Ross allegedly collaborated to mislead individuals into signing up and gambling on the unregulated online casino platform known as Stake.
Drake frequently shares his online casino gaming experiences on the Stake site, while Ross, known for his celebrity partnerships and gameplay streams of NBA 2K and Grand Theft Auto, does the same.
The duo is accused of conspiring to advertise Stake in a manner that “preys upon consumers” by potentially exposing them to serious gambling addiction risks. The collective claim asserts that they were “influenced to take part,” resulting in financial losses and emotional distress.
According to the complaint, “Plaintiffs have suffered due to the deceptive marketing tactics and exploitation by defendants Drake, Ross, and Nguyen, who are involved in the Stake marketing efforts.” The legal action alleges that the plaintiffs were “manipulated into registering and engaging with” the Stake online gaming platform.
This lawsuit resembles one initiated in Missouri in October, which cited similar grievances. In a video rebuttal to that lawsuit, Ross dismissed the claims as “absolute nonsense.”
As of now, Drake and Ross have yet to provide a response to the Virginia case.
Allegations Against Stake Casino
Stake functions as a sweepstakes casino where users can register and engage in free simulated casino games.
However, the controversial sweepstakes model incorporates a dual-currency system where users can buy a secondary digital currency known as “sweeps coins,” which can be wagered, allowing players to convert accumulated credits into cash. Stake lacks regulation from any state gaming authority in the United States.
The online casino has received cease-and-desist notices in a number of states and has ceased operations in places like Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. However, the website is still operational in Virginia.
The Virginia lawsuit claims that Drake, Ross, and a third co-conspirator, identified as Australian George Nguyen, exploited the peer-to-peer tipping feature of Stake to move funds among themselves. The complaint accuses Stake of operating as an unregulated platform used for money laundering and transfers, without any oversight from authorities.
The lawsuit asserts that Stake and the involved parties have breached the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and have participated in racketeering activities, violating the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
Manipulated Metrics
Additionally, the lawsuit against Drake and Ross alleges that the celebrities colluded with Stake to artificially boost their streaming views and music play counts through automated bots and “streaming farms.”
The legal complaint contends, “This manipulation has stifled authentic artists and restricted consumer access to genuine content, compromising the integrity of curated experiences.”
Nguyen is accused of serving as an intermediary who facilitated the transfer of cryptocurrency between Stake and the two prominent figures.