Overview
- Filed Dec. 31 in the Eastern District of Virginia, the class action is brought by Virginia residents LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines seeking to represent users who lost wagers using Stake Cash.
- Defendants include Drake, streamer Adin Ross, Australian national George Nguyen, Stake.us and parent Sweepstakes Ltd., with claims under federal RICO and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
- Plaintiffs allege Stake.us functions as an illegal real‑money casino via a dual‑currency system and that Drake and Ross gambled with house‑provided funds during promotional livestreams.
- The suit says Stake’s user‑to‑user tipping acted as an unregulated money transmitter, citing a public $100,000 tip, the 2024 “Drizzmas” giveaway, and an alleged $220,000 car gifted to Ross.
- The plaintiffs seek at least $5 million and injunctive relief; no court has ruled on the claims, related cases in Missouri and New Mexico remain active, and Stake co‑founder Bijan Tehrani posted a supportive comment.