Drake and Adin Ross Accused of Inflating Streaming Numbers with Casino Funds
A class action lawsuit alleges that rapper Drake and online livestreamer Adin Ross used funds from the online casino Stake to artificially inflate music streaming numbers, potentially boosting royalties and popularity on platforms like Spotify. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the allegations.
A lawsuit filed on Wednesday in the US state of Virginia seeks $5 million in damages from Stake.com, Drake, Ross, and Australian internet personality George Nguyen. The plaintiffs, Tiffany Hines and LaShawnna Ridley, allege breaches of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (Rico) Act and consumer protection laws.
Stake Denies Allegations
Global e-casino Stake has vehemently dismissed the claims as “nonsense,” stating the company is “not concerned” about the lawsuit. The company, licensed in Curacao, is prohibited from operating in numerous countries, including the US, Australia, and the UK. Its US-based platform, Stake.us, operates using non-cash “e-tokens” that can be purchased and exchanged for cryptocurrency.
The lawsuit centers on the claim that Stake.us’s anonymized system allowed Drake to fund the purchase of automated streams. Court documents suggest Drake and Ross concealed these financial transactions by transferring gambling winnings through Stake’s “tip system” to Nguyen, who allegedly manages the online accounts “grandwizardchatn****” and “Grandavious.”
According to the lawsuit, Nguyen then used these funds to purchase bot services that artificially inflated stream counts. A Stake spokesperson asserted that “Stake.us does not have a tipping function that could be used in this way.”
Millions Allegedly Transferred
The legal filing alleges Drake transferred millions of dollars as part of the scheme, including direct tips of $100,000 and $10,000 to Ross. Public posts, chat logs, and leaked communications are cited as evidence of Nguyen’s involvement. The alleged scheme reportedly began in 2022 and continues to pose an “ongoing and imminent threat of racketeering activity.”
The lawsuit further claims Stake, alongside Drake and Ross, intentionally misled consumers regarding the platform’s legality and safety. Hines and Ridley allege they suffered financial harm and were exposed to the risk of gambling addiction due to Drake’s promotion of Stake.
This is not the first legal challenge facing Stake, Drake, and Ross. A similar case was filed in Missouri in October, which Ross dismissed as “bullshit.” Stake.us is currently facing additional lawsuits in other US states alleging illegal operation. In response to a case brought by the Los Angeles city attorney in August, Stake’s parent company, Easygo, stated it would “vigorously defend” itself against all claims.
Drake’s Gambling Revelations and Stake’s Financial Ties
Since 2022, Drake has publicly promoted Stake on platforms like Instagram and Kick, the livestreaming service co-founded by Australian billionaire Ed Craven. In June, the rapper revealed he had gambled $124.5 million and lost $8.2 million in a single month, stating, “Gotta share the other side of gambling… Losses are so fried right now. I hope I can post a big win for you all soon.”
In December, Drake promoted livestreams on Kick, offering to share 10% of any winnings with viewers who entered through Stake. The lawsuit alleges Stake has paid Drake $100 million annually and provided him and Ross with free gambling credit.
Adin Ross, a 25-year-old livestreamer, transitioned to the rival e-casino Rainbet in 2025, citing his friendship with Kick founder Craven as the reason for remaining on the platform. Craven, estimated to be worth $2.8 billion (A$4.2 billion) by Forbes, co-founded Kick in Melbourne in 2022 following the success of Stake. Kick faced scrutiny in August after a livestream broadcast during a fatal incident in France.
Resources are available for those struggling with problem gambling. In Australia, Gambling Help Online can be reached at 1800 858 858, and the National Debt Helpline is available at 1800 007 007. In the UK, the NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic can be contacted at 020 7381 7722, and GamCare is available at 0808 8020 133. In the US, call the National Council on Problem Gambling at 800-GAMBLER or text 800GAM.
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