CELEBRITY
Rapper Drake Faces RICO Lawsuit Over Alleged Illegal Casino Promotion and Stream Fraud
Rapper Drake Faces RICO Lawsuit Over Alleged Illegal Casino Promotion and Stream Fraud
Hip-hop superstar Drake is facing a major federal lawsuit accusing him of promoting an illegal online casino and using its profits to artificially boost his music streams. The class-action suit, filed under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, was lodged on December 31, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Plaintiffs, including Virginia residents who used Stake.us, claim the platform functions as unlicensed gambling by letting users buy virtual coins redeemable for cryptocurrency, violating laws in restricted states. Drake, a brand ambassador for Stake.com and its U.S. site since 2022 in a deal worth over $100 million annually, allegedly promoted it via livestreams where he gambled with company funds. Co-defendants include streamer Adin Ross, who broadcast similar sessions, and Australian George Nguyen, accused of handling crypto conversions.
The complaint escalates by alleging casino proceeds funded “botting” and streaming farms to inflate Drake’s Spotify plays, skewing charts and algorithms for an unfair advantage. It also calls out a tipping feature as a potential money laundering tool. Framed as a criminal enterprise, the suit seeks damages under RICO and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, plus a jury trial.
Drake’s reps declined comment. Stake.us has denied similar past claims, while Ross dismissed related lawsuits online. This adds to scrutiny of Drake’s public gambling exploits, raising questions about celebrity influence in online gaming and music integrity. As the case proceeds, it could shake up how stars navigate digital endorsements.
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