Drake, Adin Ross, and Stake.us Hit with Missouri Lawsuit

A new lawsuit filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, Missouri, names rapper Drake, influencer Adin Ross, and online gambling platform Stake.us for running an illegal casino operation that allegedly targeted Missouri residents.

The plaintiff, Justin Killham, has sued Sweepstakes Limited, which operates both Stake.us and its international counterpart, Stake.com, claiming the company intentionally skirted state gambling laws by disguising a real-money online casino as a sweepstakes casino platform. 

According to the complaint, Stake.us uses a two-currency system, including ‘stake cash,’ which the lawsuit alleges can be used to place bets and later be redeemed for US dollars. This structure, Killham argues, effectively makes Stake.us an unlicensed and illegal online casino under Missouri law.

Drake and Ross are named as defendants for their roles in promoting Stake on their livestreams and in social media posts. The filing alleges that both misled fans by appearing to gamble with their own money, when they were actually using money provided by Stake. The complaint suggests that their gaming sessions were part of a plan to attract young, impressionable viewers to the platform.

Killham is seeking restitution for gambling losses, punitive damages, and legal fees, and a court injunction. The lawsuit also proposes class-action status, representing all Missouri residents who lost money on Stake’s platforms over the past five years. 

Drake is a familiar figure in the gambling scene, known to have bet large sums and incurred heavy losses on sporting events. 

Missouri gets ready for December sports betting launch 

As Stake.us faces mounting legal pressure, the Missouri sports betting market is gearing up to launch on Dec. 1. This will be a big milestone in the state’s gaming expansion.

The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has issued temporary mobile and retail licenses to several major operators, including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, Penn Sports Interactive (ESPN BET), Fanatics, Circa Sports, and Underdog.

Each operator has secured market access either through partnerships with the state’s 13 casinos or its six professional sports teams. Those partnerships include Underdog with the Kansas City Royals (MLB), bet365 with the St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), and FanDuel with St. Louis CITY SC (MLS). BetMGM will operate through Century Casinos, while Fanatics has aligned with Boyd Gaming.

Before accepting wagers, operators must submit internal controls and house rules for approval. From Nov. 17, customers can register for online sports betting accounts, use Missouri sportsbook promos, and make deposits ahead of the live launch on Dec. 1. 

Retail sportsbook licenses have also been granted to seven venues, including Fanatics Sportsbooks at Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City and Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles, as well as Caesars Sportsbook at Horseshoe St. Louis and Penn’s Hollywood Casino St. Louis. In addition, suppliers such as Kambi, Entain, and United Tote have received approval alongside technology partners like GLI, GeoComply, and Xpoint, signaling that Missouri’s new sports betting market is nearly ready for launch.