Lawsuit Alleges Drake, Adin Ross Used Online Casino Proceeds to Inflate Streaming Numbers
A new federal class-action lawsuit filed in Virginia accuses Drake, streamer Adin Ross, and an Australia-based digital marketer of participating in a racketeering scheme that allegedly used proceeds from an online casino to artificially boost streaming numbers for Drake’s music catalog.
The lawsuit, brought by Virginia residents LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines, centers on promotional activities tied to Stake.us, a sweepstakes-style gambling site that allows users to wager real money through a dual-currency system. Plaintiffs allege they were encouraged to gamble on the platform after viewing paid promotions by Drake and Ross, including livestreamed betting sessions and high-profile giveaways.
According to the complaint, the defendants worked in coordination with Stake to expose consumers to what the lawsuit describes as a “predatory gambling environment,” one that allegedly concealed the financial risks associated with gambling while leveraging celebrity influence to drive participation. The plaintiffs claim they suffered financial harm after being influenced by those promotions.
The filing further alleges that money generated through Stake’s user-to-user “tipping” feature (that allows funds to be transferred between accounts) was used as part of an unregulated payment network. Plaintiffs argue that this system functioned as an informal money-transmission channel outside the oversight of financial regulators. The lawsuit claims that funds moved through this mechanism were later used to finance so-called “streaming amplification campaigns” designed to inflate play counts for Drake’s music across major platforms.
“At the heart of the scheme,” the complaint alleges, “Drake acting directly and through willing co-conspirators deployed automated systems to artificially inflate streaming metrics, thereby distorting the music marketplace and undermining organic discovery.”
Also named in the lawsuit is George Nguyen, an Australian national alleged to have acted as an intermediary between the defendants and third-party vendors. According to the complaint, Nguyen received cryptocurrency through Stake-linked channels and coordinated social media amplification campaigns, including the placement of viral clips and narrative-driven posts on platforms such as X. The filing cites purported chat logs and public posts as evidence of his involvement, though none have yet been tested in court.
The plaintiffs seek to represent a class of Virginia residents who lost money wagering on Stake.us within the past three years. The lawsuit includes claims under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, as well as allegations of racketeering conspiracy under the federal RICO statute. It argues that defendants knowingly marketed Stake’s gambling products while concealing material risks and misrepresenting how the platform operated.
This is not the first lawsuit to scrutinize Drake and Ross’s relationship with Stake. In October, a Missouri resident filed a similar proposed class action making parallel claims about the platform’s legality and the role of celebrity promotion. That case was recently moved to federal court and remains ongoing.
Critics and lawmakers have increasingly targeted sweepstakes-style gambling platforms that rely on dual-currency models, which bundle non-redeemable virtual tokens with cash-equivalent credits. Regulators argue the structure allows companies to skirt gambling laws. Last year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation aimed at closing such loopholes.
