Drake and Adin Ross Sued Over Stake.us Gambling Platform Allegations
A Missouri man has filed a class action lawsuit alleging Drake and influencer Adin Ross received “unjust enrichment” from Stake.us,a sweepstakes casino,through the promotion of a platform described in the suit as deceptively marketed and “highly addictive.”
A 34-page complaint, obtained by Rolling Stone, claims Drake, Ross, and stake.us actively misled consumers by portraying Stake.us as a “harmless” social casino when, according to the lawsuit, it operates as an “unlawful gambling platform.” The suit was filed Monday in Jackson County Circuit Court and accuses the defendants of “deceptive, fraudulent and unfair” practices that violate Missouri law and cause financial harm to vulnerable users.
“Stake’s deceptive trade practices have inflicted severe harm on the vulnerable in Missouri,and especially on individuals prone to gambling addiction and younger consumers targeted through Stake’s ‘free play’ marketing,” the lawsuit states.
At the heart of the allegations is Stake.us’s dual-currency system. The complaint details how the platform combines virtual “gold coins,” purportedly non-redeemable,with “Stake Cash,” a second token that can be wagered on casino games and cashed out for real money. This structure, the lawsuit argues, functions “as a clear vehicle for real-money gambling.”
This dual-currency model has drawn criticism from legislators and is viewed as a loophole by many. Just earlier this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation aimed at addressing similar concerns. Representatives for Drake,Ross,and Stake.us were not immediately available for comment as of Tuesday.
Drake and Ross have both been prominent promoters of Stake, reportedly receiving millions of dollars to livestream gambling sessions on the platform. However, the lawsuit alleges these streams are conducted “under deeply fraudulent pretenses.”
According to the filing, “When Ross and Drake purport to gamble online with Stake.com, they often do not do so with their own money despite telling the public in Missouri and elsewhere the opposite.” The complaint further asserts that Stake’s influencer marketing, particularly through Drake and Ross, specifically targets teenagers in Missouri and other states.
The class action lawsuit was filed on the same day Drake posted a video to his social media account showcasing a $1 million balance on his Stake.com account. The video depicts Drake reacting with apparent surprise as the camera pans to display the amount.
“Money in the vault???????????? @stake are you trying to tell me we’re back?” Drake captioned the post, seemingly referencing a public dispute with the platform in August, when he accused Stake of blocking his withdrawal attempts.
Stake responded to Drake’s post on Monday, writing, “We never left,” and adding a “Happy birthday” message, three days after Drake turned 39 on October 24.
The lawsuit raises serious questions about the responsibility of influencers in promoting gambling platforms and t
