Stacks on Stream, Now It’s a Scheme? Drake & Ross Sued Again

_{Rappers under fire Drake and Ross. (Image: Youtube)}

Rapper Drake and livestreamer Adin Ross are facing a second civil lawsuit in the United States over their promotion of the cryptocurrency-based gambling platform Stake. Filed on 31 December 2025 in Virginia, the suit accuses the pair of misleading viewers during livestreamed gambling sessions and engaging in deceptive tactics tied to crypto and online music promotion.

The plaintiffs, LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines, claim Drake and Ross led audiences to believe they were risking their own money when in fact, according to the lawsuit, the funds used in the broadcasts were provided by Stake. The complaint further alleges that a $100,000 crypto tip was used to manipulate streaming platforms and falsely inflate engagement with Drake’s music.

“The two have engaged in live-streamed gambling, wagering large sums of money that was provided surreptitiously by Stake,” the suit reads. 

“In other words, though Drake and Ross purported to be gambling with their own Stake Cash, it was in fact provided to them by the house.”

The lawsuit identifies a third defendant, George Nguyen, who allegedly acted as an intermediary in converting crypto to cash and coordinating online amplification strategies. Together, the three are accused of operating as part of a "criminal enterprise," a charge brought under the U.S. RICO Act and Virginia's consumer protection laws. The suit demands treble damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits, and attorneys' fees.

Second Time Unlucky

This is not the first time Drake and Ross have come under legal scrutiny over their gambling promotions. A similar class-action case was filed in Missouri in October 2025, alleging deceptive marketing practices designed to glamorise gambling and conceal the financial relationship between the celebrities and Stake. Neither Drake nor Ross has commented publicly on either case, and Stake has previously denied any wrongdoing.

While the lawsuits are playing out in American courts, the implications are being felt much further afield. In the UK, where gambling is tightly regulated under the Gambling Act 2005 and enforced by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the use of influencers in gambling marketing is already under heightened scrutiny.

How the Lawsuit Could Affect the UK Gambling Industry

British rules around gambling advertisements are among the most rigorous in the world. Promotions must not mislead consumers, exaggerate potential rewards, or appeal to under-18s. Influencers and affiliates must clearly disclose paid partnerships and ensure that all gambling-related content is both age- and geo-gated appropriately. Any suggestion that celebrities are gambling with their own money, if untrue, could constitute a serious breach of advertising standards.

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has in recent years taken a firmer line on influencer content, particularly where it concerns younger audiences. This includes a clampdown on virtual currencies, game-like gambling promotions, and ads featuring personalities likely to appeal to minors. Cases like those involving Drake and Ross could well bolster regulatory efforts to further tighten rules around influencer campaigns.

New UK Reforms Put Pressure on Promo Practices

New UKGC rules that came into effect on 19 December 2025 add another layer of context. These reforms aim to simplify and clarify bonus offers, banning mixed-product promotions and placing a cap on wagering requirements. While not directly addressing influencer content, the changes reflect a broader push towards fairness, transparency, and harm prevention in gambling advertising.

British Operators Should Take Note of the Red Flags

In that light, the lawsuits in the U.S. serve as a warning to UK operators working with high-profile influencers. Any failure to properly disclose the nature of paid promotions, or any use of content that could mislead viewers about the risks of gambling, may now attract more serious consequences under British law.

The trend is clear: whether in the U.S. or the UK, regulators are increasingly focused on curbing the glamorisation of gambling and ensuring consumers aren’t misled by flashy, celebrity-fronted campaigns. As enforcement tightens on both sides of the Atlantic, gambling firms and influencers alike will need to play it much safer.