Drake was charged with RICO online casino for inflating music streams.
The Streaming Scandal: Drake Embroiled in RICO Lawsuit Over Alleged Music Stream ManipulationIn a shocking turn of events, the music industry is reeling from allegations of streaming manipulation against one of its most beloved artists – Drake. The Toronto rapper has been hit with a RICO lawsuit by an online casino and sports betting company, Stake, over claims that he artificially inflated his music streams using their platform.
At the heart of the scheme, according to the lawsuit, is Drake's alleged use of automated bots and streaming farms to artificially inflate play counts of his music across major platforms like Spotify. The suit accuses him of promoting Stake and using the money earned from the platform to create fraudulent streams of his music, fabricate popularity, disparage competitors and music label executives, distort recommendation algorithms, and distribute financing for all of the foregoing while concealing the flow of funds.
This is not the first time Drake has been accused of streaming manipulation. A similar case in Missouri alleges that he, along with Stake, streamer Adin Ross, and a man named George Nguyen, promoted Stake to teenagers using influencer marketing and engaged in livestreams on the platform under false pretenses. Another class action lawsuit against Spotify from November 2025 claims that Drake is getting billions of fake streams on the platform.
But what's even more astonishing is that Drake has been involved in a streaming manipulation lawsuit where he is the plaintiff. After an intense rap beef between himself and Kendrick Lamar in 2024, Drake accused his own label (that he shares with Lamar under different divisions), Universal Music Group, and Spotify of conspiring to artificially inflate the streaming numbers for Lamar's song "Not Like Us." The lyrics of the song, which called Drake a "pedophile," allegedly damaged his reputation.
However, in a surprising twist, a judge dismissed the case in October 2025, but Drake has appealed it. Proceedings are set to continue this month. This raises questions about the credibility of Drake's claims and whether he is using his platform to manipulate the music industry for personal gain.
The lawsuit filed on behalf of LaShawnna Ridley and Tiffany Hines accuses Drake, along with Ross and Nguyen, of promoting an illegal online casino and using the money to artificially inflate music streams. Stake, which uses a virtual currency instead of real money, is accused of deceiving users and regulators and participating in illegal gambling.
The suit also claims that Drake directly transferred money to himself "outside the oversight of any financial regulator" using Stake's tipping feature. This raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of online casinos and sports betting companies like Stake.
As the music industry grapples with these allegations, it's essential to remember that streaming manipulation can have far-reaching consequences for artists, labels, and fans alike. It's not just about the numbers; it's about the integrity of the music itself.
Drake's reputation as a trailblazer in the music industry is at stake here. Will he be able to clear his name and prove that his streams are genuine? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain – the music industry needs to take a closer look at its streaming practices and ensure that they are fair, transparent, and free from manipulation.
As fans, we need to stay vigilant and demand accountability from our favorite artists and platforms. We deserve to know that the music we love is genuine and not artificially inflated for personal gain. The future of the music industry depends on it.
In conclusion, the allegations against Drake are a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the music industry. As we move forward, let's prioritize authenticity and integrity over artificial streams and manipulated numbers. The music deserves better, and so do its fans.
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