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A new class-action filing in federal court has pulled hip-hop superstar Drake into a widening legal storm. The Drake Online Casino Lawsuit, brought by two consumers in Virginia, accuses the artist, streamer Adin Ross, and an Australian man of orchestrating a racketeering conspiracy tied to real-money gambling on the online casino platform Stake.us.

The lawsuit alleges the proceeds from the gambling operation were funneled into schemes designed to artificially boost streaming numbers for Drake’s music catalog—an accusation that links the worlds of online betting and digital music metrics in an unprecedented way.

Claims of Predatory Gambling and Consumer Harm

Filed in Virginia federal court, the complaint asserts the defendants worked in concert with Stake to lure users into what it describes as a predatory gambling ecosystem. Plaintiffs claim consumers were exposed to serious risks of gambling addiction and financial loss after being drawn in by celebrity endorsements.

The lawsuit says the plaintiffs were persuaded to gamble on Stake.us after watching Drake’s paid promotions of the platform, including livestreamed betting sessions and promotional giveaways. According to the filing, those endorsements blurred the line between entertainment and inducement.

The Dual-Currency System Under Fire

At the center of the case is Stake.us’ alleged dual-currency model. The Virginia lawsuit, echoing a similar case filed in Missouri, claims the platform bundles virtual “gold coins” with a second token known as Stake Cash, which can be redeemed for real money.

Critics have long argued that such systems exploit regulatory gray areas. Lawmakers have taken notice: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation last year aimed at curbing similar practices, underscoring the growing scrutiny surrounding online sweepstakes-style casinos.

Alleged Money Transfers and Promotion Network

According to the complaint, Drake, Ross, and Australian national George Nguyen acted as enthusiastic promoters of Stake in exchange for payment and privileged access to the platform. The lawsuit characterizes Stake as a covert “money transfer conduit,” alleging its user-to-user tipping feature enabled direct transfers among the defendants.

The filing describes the tipping system as an unregulated money transmitter operating outside the oversight of financial regulators. Stake, owned by Sweepsteaks Ltd. in Cyprus and operated from offices in Dallas, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Ross and Nguyen also did not respond, while a representative for Drake declined to comment.