Drake and Adin Ross Face Class-Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Promotion of Illegal Online Casino
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Drake, Adin Ross, and Stake’s parent company, Sweepsteaks Limited, alleging that they promoted an illegal online casino disguised as a "social casino" and misled viewers with their gambling streams. The lawsuit was filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, Missouri, by a native of Independence, Missouri, accusing Drake and Ross of engaging in deceptive and fraudulent practices that violated state law.
The plaintiff, Justin Killham, claimed in a 34-page document that he lost money gambling on Stake due to wrongful trade practices. The lawsuit described Stake.com as the world's most popular and profitable online casino, banned from entering the US market due to regulations, prompting Sweepsteaks Limited to create a clone site, Stake.us, to circumvent the ban and mislead users about the nature of the site.
Stake.us allegedly operates as a full casino through "Stake Cash," digital tokens that can be wagered on casino games and redeemed at a 1:1 ratio to the U.S. dollar. Drake and Ross were accused of receiving millions of dollars annually from Stake to promote online casino gambling through livestreams, while concealing the fact that they used Stake funds and falsely claiming to gamble with their own money.
The lawsuit also alleged that Drake and Ross helped drive Missouri residents to the platform by showcasing large wagers and jackpots on livestreams and social media posts. Stake denied the allegations, stating that they had not been served and would vigorously defend against the claims made in the media.
Drake and Adin Ross have not publicly addressed the lawsuit, but Drake previously criticized Stake for not allowing him to withdraw funds and closed his Kick account after a dispute with the owners. The situation is still developing, and further updates may follow as the legal proceedings progress.