In a bombshell twist shaking the worlds of hip-hop and streaming, rap icon Drake and Kick streamer Adin Ross face a class-action lawsuit in Missouri for allegedly pushing illegal online gambling through Stake.us. The suit claims their high-stakes promotions lured fans into a deceptive trap, sparking outrage over celebrity endorsements gone wrong.
The complaint, filed October 27, 2025, in Jackson County Circuit Court by Missouri resident Justin Killham, accuses Stake.us—operated by Sweepstakes Limited—of masquerading as a harmless “social casino” while enabling real-money bets. Killham alleges he lost significant funds after falling for the platform’s slick marketing, which bundled worthless “Gold Coins” with redeemable “Stake Cash” for crypto payouts.
At the heart of the Drake lawsuit and Adin Ross gambling controversy lies a web of influencer tactics. Drake, with his 142 million Instagram followers, recently posted videos flaunting a $1 million Stake balance, while Ross streamed marathon sessions on Kick, reportedly earning $1 million weekly from the site. The suit blasts these as “deeply fraudulent,” claiming the stars gambled with “house money” provided by Stake.us to fake wins and glamorize the platform, especially to impressionable teens.
Stake.us, the U.S. arm of the global Stake.com launched in 2017 by Australian entrepreneurs Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, insists it’s a sweepstakes model compliant with laws. But critics argue it skirts Missouri’s strict gambling bans, turning social gaming into a sneaky casino. This Stake.us scam allegation echoes broader U.S. crackdowns, like DraftKings’ recent settlements over misleading ads.
Legal experts weigh in sharply. “This could redefine influencer liability in gambling promotions,” says gaming attorney Maria Gonzalez of St. Louis-based firm Blackwell Sanders. “Celebrities like Drake and Ross aren’t just entertainers—they’re marketers with a duty to disclose risks.” Public backlash floods social media, with X users decrying the Stake.us illegal gambling scheme as predatory. One viral post from fan account @HipHopLegal racked up 50K likes: “Drake’s betting streams hooked my little bro—time for accountability!”
For American readers, the stakes hit close to home. With online gambling exploding post-2018 Supreme Court ruling, states like Missouri grapple with addiction rates up 30% among young adults, per CDC data. This Missouri gambling laws clash threatens lifestyles, from drained bank accounts to fractured families, while pressuring tech platforms to vet endorsements. Economically, it spotlights a $100 billion industry rife with unregulated apps targeting sports fans during NFL season.
Adin Ross fired back in a fiery Kick clip, dismissing the claims as “total bullsh*t” and vowing to fight. Drake’s camp remains silent, but insiders hint at settlement talks. As the case unfolds, it spotlights user intent in these promotions—fans seeking fun, not ruin—and calls for better management from platforms like Kick and Instagram.
The Drake Adin Ross Stake lawsuit underscores a pivotal shift: Influencer gambling promotion faces fierce scrutiny under Missouri gambling laws, potentially curbing the Stake.us scam tactics nationwide. Watch for hearings in early 2026, which could force refunds and reform, protecting U.S. bettors from deceptive lures.
By Sam Michael
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