Inside Drake’s High-Stakes Gambling: Over $1 Billion Wagered in Just Two Months
An Overview of Drake’s Gambling Journey
Drake, the acclaimed Canadian rapper and cultural icon, has captured headlines with his staggering online betting activities. Since his partnership with the crypto betting platform Stake.com, his wagers—often exceeding millions—have become a spectacle, fueling both fascination and controversy. Rumors about his gambling habits have ignited debates in the entertainment and sports worlds, with some even coining the term “Drake Curse” for athletes and teams tied to his bets.
Highlights of Drake’s Betting Behavior
– Drake began wagering on Stake.com in December 2021, rapidly amassing over $1 billion in cryptocurrency bets within only two months.
– The “Drake Curse” grew in popularity as fans noticed that athletes and teams supported by Drake frequently experienced unexpected losses.
– High-profile sports bets have resulted in both giant wins—such as a $2 million payout from Super Bowl LVII—and major losses, including $2 million lost on a single UFC bout.
– Roulette is Drake’s casino game of choice; he famously won over $12 million on one spin in 2022.
– The rapper has broadcast five “Drake vs Stake” events, distributing Bitcoin prizes as large as $75,000 to participants. In individual sessions, he sometimes won nearly $25 million, only to leave with less than $2,000 after later losses.
– Speculation persists that some of Drake’s betting funds on Stake.com may originate from the company itself, given his ambassador role.
A Timeline of Drake’s Record-Setting Wagers
From January 2022 through January 2024, Drake’s betting history features 24 major wins and 21 notable losses. This spree extends across American leagues (NFL, NBA), global events (UFC, Formula 1), and a variety of casino games.
– **Total Reported Wins:** CA$106.3 million (approx. $79.1 million USD)
– **Total Reported Losses:** CA$46.1 million (approx. $34.2 million USD)
During these years, his largest single casino win—a $17 million hit at the roulette table—happened in May 2022, while some of his most significant defeats also landed around high-profile sporting events. Subtracting losses from wins, Drake is estimated to be up over $44.9 million in betting profit.
Drake’s Partnership and Bets on Stake.com
Image: Twitter/Rap
Drake joined Stake.com under the alias “DeepPockets6” in December 2021. Almost immediately, he became one of the platform’s most active and visible high-rollers, placing a billion dollars’ worth of crypto bets in less than two months. His gambling exploits quickly became part of his public persona, with regular updates posted to social media—often including the Stake logo.
In March 2022, Drake made his official partnership with Stake public, highlighting his plans to host live streams that blend gameplay and crypto giveaways for his fans.
High-Profile Sports Bets and the “Drake Curse” Phenomenon
The so-called “Drake Curse” has become a part of sports folklore, stemming from the perception that teams or athletes he associates with are doomed to lose. While statistical analyses have debunked the curse (with only about 31% of such players losing), the idea persists thanks to his string of high-stakes losses.
Major UFC Bets
Drake’s affinity for UFC betting goes beyond casual wagers. Notable incidents include:
– Losing $275,000 in March 2022 on Jorge Masvidal (potential $1.03 million payout missed)
– Dropping $427,000 in May 2022 on Justin Gaethje
– Hitting a rare win with $136,000 on Israel Adesanya, netting $897,000
– Securing a massive $3.7 million payout on a $2.2 million parlay for Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann
– Suffering substantial consecutive losses: $430,000 on Kamaru Usman and Jose Aldo
– Losing $2 million on Israel Adesanya at UFC 281, and another $500,000 on Adesanya in UFC 293
– Attempting to reverse his losses with a $700,000 bet on Sean Strickland, which didn’t pay off
Drake also dipped into celebrity boxing, betting—without luck—on the outcomes of Logan Paul and Jake Paul’s matches.
Image: via Instagram/champagnepapi
Soccer Gambles
Soccer bets have proved no luckier. On one occasion, Drake staked over $600,000 on both Arsenal and Barcelona winning their games; Arsenal succeeded, but Barcelona fell to Real Madrid, fueling further “Drake Curse” rumors—especially since Barcelona wore a kit branded with Drake’s OVO logo that day.
Wagering on the NFL
American football has produced some of Drake’s most lucrative paydays:
– Won $537,850 by betting on the Rams and Odell Beckham Jr. in 2022
– Lost $393,000 on an unsuccessful prop bet, then rebounded with a $235,000 win on Drake London’s draft pick
– Bagged $2 million from a three-leg parlay featuring Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and Kansas City Chiefs
– Won another $2 million by picking the Chiefs over the Bengals in the AFC Championship
– Nearly $1 million staked on Super Bowl LVII prop bets, landing a $2 million payout as the Chiefs took the victory
NBA and Other Major Leagues
Basketball, baseball, and hockey betting has also brought significant swings:
– Won $729,440 with bets on Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks
– Pocketed $115,240 when the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Red Sox
– Scored a $2,361,000 payout from a multi-game parlay in May 2022
– Experienced downs as well, losing $235,000 on a Formula 1 bet and $400,000 on NCAA basketball parlays
– Rebounded with $1 million when the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat in June 2023, and $850,000 from a Heat-centric bet
Image: via Instagram/champagnepapi
When Winning Bets Didn’t Mean Cashing Out
Drake’s bets sometimes technically win but don’t result in a payout due to tightly defined conditions. For example, a correct World Cup pick still lost because Argentina’s victory came in a penalty shootout instead of regular time, invalidating his wager.
Drake’s Casino Betting: Roulette and High Roller Moments
Roulette has emerged as Drake’s preferred casino game. Even before his Stake.com partnership, he made headlines for $100,000 spins at Las Vegas’s ARIA Casino.
Image: Twitter/BillKrackman
– In 2020, Drake even bought a $620,000 Jacob & Co. watch featuring a miniature roulette wheel.
– Early 2022 saw him claim a $354,000 win, and another roulette spin later netted him over $12 million—all while publicly posting about the experience.
Drake’s public casino activity slowed in 2023, though he signaled intentions of returning to high-stakes action in late 2023 via social media.
“Drake vs Stake”: Massive Wins, Live Events, and Bitcoin Giveaways
Drake’s partnership with Stake.com led to a series of widely watched streamed events branded as “Drake vs Stake.” These sessions aren’t mere showcases; they involve live roulette gameplay, celebrity guests, and significant crypto giveaways.
Image: via Instagram/champagnepapi
Event highlights:
– Drake wagers as much as $500,000 per roulette spin, sometimes with celebrity friends like Lil Baby and French Montana.
– In one series, he accumulated nearly $27.2 million from an $8.5 million starting stake—only to finish with less than $2,000 after further betting.
– Each event typically gives away about $1 million worth of cryptocurrency to participating Stake.com players.
– Later events moved to the new streaming platform Kick.com after gambling streams were restricted on Twitch. Notably, Kick.com is owned by Stake’s co-founders.
Aside from roulette, Drake and his co-hosts have also scored large wins on specific slots games during these broadcasts.
Is Drake Betting His Own Money?
Debate over the source of Drake’s betting funds has persisted since his Stake partnership began. Many speculate that Stake.com might be funding his bets as part of the marketing deal, considering the massive sums involved and their shared interests in high-profile publicity. Given Drake’s reported net worth exceeding $250 million, it’s equally plausible he simply has the means to place such wagers himself. To date, the exact financial relationship behind Drake’s high-stakes bets remains unconfirmed.
Stake.com’s Growth and Partnerships Beyond Drake
Stake.com has rapidly expanded into global markets and formed sponsorships across major sports:
– Entered the UK gaming industry in 2022, becoming official kit sponsor for Everton and Watford FC.
– Signed Argentine star Sergio Agüero as an ambassador and sponsored various other football events.
– In September 2022, became a main partner for the European Cricket Championship.
– Established Stake News and launched major partnerships with Indian Super League clubs Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC, as well as Volleyball World in Japan.
– 2023 and 2024 brought deals with Alfa Romeo F1 (which was rebranded as the Stake F1 Team), Everton, Esporte Clube Juventude, and the International Tennis Federation’s Davis and Billie Jean King Cups.
– Notable new ambassadors also include soccer and MMA athletes, further cementing Stake.com’s mainstream sporting presence.
Image: ToffeeWeb
Conclusion: Drake’s Betting Legacy in the Gambling World
Drake’s foray into high-stakes sports and casino betting—particularly via Stake.com—has not only highlighted his own penchant for risk but also exemplified the intersection of celebrity and the booming crypto gambling industry. Whether he’s cursed or just incredibly wealthy, Drake’s betting saga underscores the drama and spectacle of contemporary online gambling, where massive wins, shocking losses, and rumors swirl together in real time before a global audience.
