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A Bloomberg Businessweek investigation into the crypto-focused online casino Stake.com – one of the largest crypto gambling platforms globally – has drawn fresh scrutiny to how the operator uses celebrity partnerships and influencer livestreams to drive engagement and player acquisition.
The Bloomberg analysis focused on hundreds of hours of livestreamed gameplay featuring high-profile ambassadors – notably Canadian artist Drake and streamer Adin Ross – promoting Stake’s casino content on platforms such as Kick. It found that these influencers appeared to achieve unusually frequent “big wins” (payouts exceeding 1,000× the initial bet) compared with other players, particularly on slot games developed by Easygo Entertainment, the gaming arm of Stake’s parent company.
Unusually, many of the large payouts occurred when Stake co-founder Ed Craven was present or provided in-stream support, raising questions about whether the curated content casts gambling outcomes in a misleading light for viewers.
While the investigation notes that such patterns were not observed on games from external providers, it highlights how traditional casino odds and live-content marketing intersect in ways that may distort consumer expectations.
Stake has strongly rejected the Bloomberg claims, asserting that the methodology used is flawed and that comparing win rates between different games with divergent mathematical mechanics is arbitrary. It also reiterated its stance that influencers, including Drake and Ross, do not receive preferential odds.
Legal pressure mounts around crypto gambling and influencers
The Bloomberg reporting comes at a time of significant legal pushback against Stake and its promotional strategies. Multiple class-action lawsuits in the United States have named Stake and its celebrity promoters, accusing the platform of deceptive trade practices and operating in violation of state gambling laws.
In a notable federal complaint filed in early 2026 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, plaintiffs allege that Stake’s “social casino” sweepstakes model is a front for real-money gambling. The suit asserts that Drake and Adin Ross used Stake-provided funds in livestreamed sessions presented as personal wagers, encouraging audiences – including younger and potentially vulnerable viewers – to engage with the casino under false pretences. The complaint also says that Stake’s user-to-user “tipping” feature may have been used to move money between accounts in a way that made it harder to track where the funds were coming from or going. It further alleges that some of these transfers may have been connected to efforts to artificially boost attention around Drake’s music.
Similar suits in Missouri and other states have argued that Stake’s dual-currency model (virtual “Gold Coins” bundled with redeemable “Stake Cash”) effectively enables real gambling despite being marketed as entertainment. These ongoing legal actions could have broader implications for how online casinos and influencer partnerships are regulated in the US gambling market. Only time will tell the real consequences.
Crypto casinos are increasingly leveraging high-visibility ambassadors and platform-specific content to differentiate themselves from traditional operators. But that strategy comes with risks, as highlighted in this deep dive – it may attract regulatory pushback and reputational hazards if audiences are misled about odds, payouts, or the nature of wagering models.
