Stake.us hit with class action as Drake and Adin Ross named in alleged illegal gambling case | Yogonet International
Summary
A class action complaint filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, Missouri, names Canadian rapper Drake, livestreamer Adin Ross and Sweepsteaks Limited (operator of Stake.us) as defendants. Plaintiff Justin Killham alleges Stake.us ran an “illegal gambling scheme” masked as a social casino, using a dual-currency system that bundled worthless “gold coins” with wagerable “Stake Cash” which could allegedly be converted into cryptocurrency or real money. Killham claims he lost money because of these practices and says they violate Missouri’s restrictive gambling laws.
The suit also accuses Drake and Adin Ross of deceptive marketing aimed at young and vulnerable audiences, alleging their streams and social posts gave the impression they were betting their own funds when they were using house-supplied money, creating a false authenticity. The filing follows other legal scrutiny of dual-currency sweepstakes-style casinos, including separate actions by the Los Angeles City Attorney and recent legislation in California banning similar models.
Key Points
- A Missouri class action names Drake, Adin Ross and Sweepsteaks Limited (Stake.us) over alleged illegal gambling and deceptive marketing.
- Plaintiff argues Stake.us used a dual-currency system (“gold coins” + “Stake Cash”) to enable effectively real-money gambling while claiming social casino status.
- Claims include deceptive influencer promotion — livestreams and posts that allegedly misrepresented betting with house-provided funds.
- Stake was co-founded in 2017; Stake.com reported large revenues and founders have substantial net worth, which the complaint references.
- This case sits amid broader legal pushback: LA City Attorney and new California law target similar sweepstakes/dual-currency platforms.
- Potential regulatory and reputational risks for platforms using dual-currency models and for celebrities who promote them.
Why should I read this?
Short answer: celebrities + alleged illegal gambling = big headlines and real legal consequences. If you work in gaming, marketing or influencer partnerships (or you just want to know how celebrity plugs could land companies in court), this is the quick lowdown you need.
Author style
Punchy: This isn’t just another lawsuit — it could reshape how influencers are used to promote gambling and accelerate regulatory moves against dual-currency sweepstakes models. Read the detail if you care about compliance, brand risk or the future of crypto/online gaming promotions.