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A class action lawsuit in Missouri has put crypto casino Stake, rapper Drake, and influencer Adin Ross in legal trouble over claims of promoting unlawful online gambling to young viewers. The case, filed in Jackson County’s 16th Circuit Court, accuses the trio of luring Missourians—especially minors—into using Stake despite state laws banning online casino play.
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The lawsuit argues that Stake and its celebrity promoters “threaten the welfare of Missouri residents and especially its young people.” It claims the company presented casino streams as authentic gambling sessions when, in fact, both Drake and Ross allegedly played with “house money.” According to the filing, that tactic made fans believe the influencers were risking their own funds, encouraging viewers—many underage—to follow their example.
Court documents cite Stake’s public messaging that calls Drake a partner, not just a sponsor. Marketing materials and web posts reportedly describe how the rapper went “from gambler to partner,” creating what the plaintiffs call a deceptive narrative meant to drive engagement and attract new players.
Drake’s enormous reach plays a key role in the complaint. He counts more than 140 million followers on Instagram and nearly 40 million on X, and his live casino streams have reportedly reached millions. The suit says these broadcasts “glamorize gambling to millions of impressionable fans” while masking the fact that online casinos like Stake remain unlicensed in most U.S. states, including Missouri.
Ross, who has drawn previous criticism for promoting gambling content to young audiences, is accused of similar conduct. The complaint claims Stake built its business model around influencer marketing that targets high-engagement fan communities—an approach now facing legal examination.
Meanwhile, Missouri’s legal environment for betting continues to shift. The Missouri Gaming Commission has approved temporary licenses for nine sportsbooks ahead of the state’s sports betting debut on December 1. However, online casino gaming remains prohibited, giving prosecutors firm ground to challenge Stake’s activities under existing law.
This case marks one of the first major U.S. lawsuits where influencers are being sued for allegedly promoting illegal gambling. By comparison, Brazil has already moved aggressively to penalize unlicensed operators and influencers tied to offshore platforms. Influencer Klebin recently got sentenced for ten years while another influencer is indicted for running unlicensed raffles.
The case was filed by Missouri resident Justin Killham in the 16th Circuit Court of Jackson County.
Plaintiffs claim Stake, Drake, and Adin Ross promoted unlawful gambling and misled fans by portraying casino play with “house money” as real betting.
No. Missouri law currently prohibits online casino gambling, though sports betting will become legal in December 2025.
It represents one of the first attempts to hold influencers legally accountable in the U.S. for promoting unlicensed gambling platforms.