A new legal battle has erupted, accusing online influencer Adin Ross and music superstar Drake of involvement in an alleged illegal online casino scheme targeting residents of New Mexico. The class action lawsuit, filed in state court, centers around the platform Stake.us and its connection to the established online gambling site Stake.com.
Plaintiffs allege that Stake.us was deliberately disguised as a “social casino” – a place for harmless fun – to circumvent gambling laws and attract players. The core claim is that Stake.us is essentially a rebranded version of Stake.com, designed to mislead both regulators and users into believing it offered risk-free gameplay.
The lawsuit doesn’t stop at the platform itself. It seeks to hold Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, personally responsible for the alleged gambling losses incurred by New Mexico residents. This isn’t the first time Drake has faced such accusations this week, mirroring a similar case unfolding in Missouri.
The Missouri lawsuit makes strikingly similar claims, alleging that Stake.us, along with Drake and Ross, operated an unlawful online casino specifically aimed at Missouri citizens. Both complaints highlight a pattern of deceptive marketing, utilizing “slick ads, influencer videos and flashy visuals” to portray the games as safe and entertaining.
A key element of the alleged scheme revolves around a dual currency system. Players are encouraged to purchase “Gold Coins,” which are presented as having no real-world value. However, each purchase also includes “Stake Cash,” a currency that *can* be wagered and cashed out for actual money at a one-to-one ratio with the U.S. dollar.
The plaintiffs argue this system isn’t about selling Gold Coins at all, but rather a disguised sale of Stake Cash – effectively operating as an illegal gambling device. This tactic, they claim, allowed Stake.us to sidestep regulations and profit from unlawful gambling activities.
Adin Ross responded to the allegations during a recent livestream, dismissing the lawsuit as “bullsh*t.” He urged viewers to review the court documents themselves and maintained a defiant stance, refusing to engage in further discussion.
Drake has yet to publicly address the claims. A spokesperson for Stake.us issued a statement denying the allegations and promising a vigorous defense against the lawsuit, stating they had not yet been served with the complaint.
The New Mexico lawsuit aims to represent all residents who gambled on Stake.us and suffered losses within the past five years. The plaintiffs are seeking the return of their losses, punitive damages, legal fees, and a court order to halt the alleged illegal operation.
This case raises serious questions about the responsibility of influencers in promoting online platforms and the potential for deceptive practices within the rapidly evolving world of online gaming and social casinos.
