Drake, along with streamer Adin Ross and the online gambling platform Stake, has been named in a federal RICO lawsuit that alleges illegal gambling promotions. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, seeks $5 million in damages and claims that the defendants have engaged in fraudulent activities that manipulate music streaming metrics.
According to information shared by Loren LoRosa on Twitter, the lawsuit accuses Drake, Ross, and fellow co-defendant George Nguyen of utilizing Stake’s “tipping” feature to facilitate illegal financial transactions. These transactions allegedly allowed them to artificially inflate Drake’s music streaming numbers across various digital platforms. The plaintiffs, identified as LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines, contend that the defendants have financed “botting” practices to create fraudulent streams of Drake’s music, thereby distorting recommendation algorithms and fabricating popularity.
The legal filing outlines specific examples of these alleged activities. It claims that Drake knowingly permitted his associates to disguise encrypted money transfers as “giveaways,” which were not accessible to the general public. Notably, the lawsuit points to a significant tip transfer of $100,000 between Ross and Drake in 2023, as well as a “Drizzmas” giveaway stream scheduled for 2024 that allegedly involved cycling tips among themselves to enhance engagement metrics.
Additionally, the lawsuit highlights a $220,000 car that Stake purportedly gifted to Ross just days prior to the New Year’s Eve filing. These details are part of a broader argument suggesting that the trio has been complicit in promoting an illegal gambling operation that not only affects their personal finances but also undermines fair competition in the music industry.
LoRosa has attempted to reach out to Drake’s team for a comment on the allegations but has not received a response as of the latest update. This is not the first time Drake has faced legal challenges related to gambling. He was previously involved in similar lawsuits in New Mexico and Missouri last year, which also raised questions about his promotional activities with Stake.
As the case unfolds, it could have significant implications for both Drake’s career and the online gambling landscape, particularly with the increasing scrutiny surrounding the legality of such promotions in the United States.
