One thing you can bet on: more lawsuits against Stake.
The offshore-linked gambling brand Stake is no longer facing just a handful of U.S. legal challenges.
Since 2025, the public civil docket has grown into a nationwide legal pile-on involving Stake.us, Stake.com, Sweepsteaks Limited, influencers, business partners, payment infrastructure, and companies accused of helping the gambling operation reach U.S. consumers.
Why Stake Isn’t Legit, According to Lawsuits
The core allegation is simple: Stake.us is not a harmless “social casino.” Plaintiffs and government officials say it is an illegal online casino disguised as a sweepstakes platform.
As of May 2026, GamblingHarm.org found at least 14 public U.S. lawsuits or civil enforcement actions involving Stake, Stake.us, Sweepsteaks Limited, or related promotional and business infrastructure.
The original wave included cases in California, Illinois, Alabama, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Minnesota. Since then, additional actions have been filed in or by Los Angeles, Missouri, New Mexico, Virginia, Ohio, Baltimore, New York, and New Jersey.
Some are consumer class actions. Others name celebrity promoters. Some focus on minors. Some involve city enforcement. One New York lawsuit names Coinbase-related entities alongside Stake entities. But the broader theme is consistent: Stake’s U.S. sweepstakes model is being challenged as an allegedly illegal form of online casino gambling with no safeguards.
As of mid-2026, the lawsuits were ongoing, and some defendants have denied the allegations or attempted to force claims into arbitration. Still, the number of legal challenges shows how quickly the U.S. backlash against Stake.us and sweepstakes casinos has escalated.
Stake.US Lawsuit Tracker
Here are the major public U.S. lawsuits and enforcement actions involving Stake or Stake.us that have surfaced since 2025:
California Stake Lawsuit — February 2025
A California consumer lawsuit accused Sweepsteaks Limited, doing business as Stake.us, of operating an illegal gambling website. That case was later sent to arbitration.
Illinois Stake Lawsuit — April 2025
An Illinois lawsuit alleged that Stake.us used its sweepstakes model to offer illegal online casino-style gambling in the state. The complaint targeted the platform’s Gold Coins and Stake Cash system.
Alabama Stake Lawsuit — May 2025
An Alabama class action accused Stake.us of running an illegal online gambling operation in a state with strict anti-gambling laws. The lawsuit involved a mother and child and alleged household harm tied to losses on the platform.
Massachusetts Stake Lawsuit — May 2025
A Massachusetts case alleged that Stake.us was accessible in the state and profited from Massachusetts users despite not being licensed as a legal online casino there.
South Carolina Stake Lawsuit — August 2025
A South Carolina lawsuit challenged Stake.us’ dual-currency model, alleging that Stake Cash could be redeemed for real-world value and therefore functioned like casino chips.
Minnesota Stake Lawsuit — August 2025
A Minnesota complaint alleged that Stake.us operated as an illegal gambling device. The plaintiff said he spent more than $80,000 buying Stake Cash between 2023 and 2025 and was in recovery for gambling addiction.
Los Angeles Stake Lawsuit — September 2025
The Los Angeles City Attorney sued Stake.us and related companies, alleging the platform operated an unlicensed illegal gambling business while marketing itself as a safe or free social casino. The city said Stake.us offered more than 1,900 casino-style games, including slots, table games, and live dealer games.
Missouri Stake Lawsuit — October 2025
A Missouri lawsuit named Stake.us, Drake, and Adin Ross, alleging deceptive gambling practices and illegal gambling promotion. The lawsuit accused Stake of using its Gold Coins and Stake Cash system to bypass state gambling laws.
New Mexico Stake Lawsuit — October 2025
A New Mexico class action made similar allegations against Stake.us, Drake, and Adin Ross. The case challenged the promotion of Stake.us and the sweepstakes model under New Mexico gambling and consumer protection laws.
Virginia Stake Lawsuit — December 2025
A Virginia federal class action accused Stake.us, Drake, Adin Ross, and others of participating in an illegal gambling enterprise. The lawsuit brought claims under federal and Virginia law, including racketeering-style allegations. Stake denied at least one major allegation in the case, calling it “nonsense.”
Ohio Stake Lawsuit — February 2026
An Ohio federal lawsuit alleged that Stake.us was an illegal online casino under Ohio law. The complaint challenged the company’s dual-currency sweepstakes model and alleged that Stake Cash was redeemable for crypto or near-real-money value.
Baltimore Stake Lawsuit — March 2026
Baltimore sued multiple sweepstakes casino operators, including Stake.us, alleging they disguised illegal gambling as free games or sweepstakes and violated the city’s consumer protection ordinance.
New York Stake Lawsuit — April 2026
A New York lawsuit alleged that Stake-related entities enabled underage gambling, like Kalshi, and relied on crypto infrastructure, including Coinbase-related defendants. The complaint said the plaintiff began gambling as a minor and raised claims involving consumer protection and negligence.
New Jersey Stake Lawsuit — April 2026
A New Jersey class action named Stake, Kick, Drake, Adin Ross, DJ Akademiks, and others, alleging a scheme to promote illegal gambling to New Jersey residents. The suit came after New Jersey enacted a 2025 law prohibiting sweepstakes wagering models.
Stake.US Lawsuits Challenge Its Business Model
Stake.us operates under the so-called sweepstakes casino model. The company, which has a UFC partnership, does not market itself as a traditional online casino in the United States. Instead, it uses virtual currencies.
That is the center of the legal controversy.
Stake.us users can receive or buy Gold Coins for purported entertainment-style play. They can also receive Stake Cash, which lawsuits allege can be used on casino-style games and redeemed for items of real-world value, including cryptocurrency or gift cards.
Plaintiffs argue this means the platform still has the key ingredients of gambling: consideration, chance, and a prize.
The lawsuits allege that this is not meaningfully different from an online casino. The packaging is different, but the consumer experience can look and feel like slots, blackjack, roulette, live dealer games, and other casino gambling products.
That matters because legal online casino gambling is licensed state by state in the U.S. Stake.us is not licensed like DraftKings Casino, FanDuel Casino, BetMGM Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino, or other regulated operators in states where legal online casino gambling exists.
In states where online casino gambling is not legal, lawsuits argue that Stake.us is using the sweepstakes label to get around gambling prohibitions.
Why the Stake.US Lawsuits Matter
The lawsuits against Stake.us matter because they challenge one of the fastest-growing corners of online gambling.
Sweepstakes casinos have exploded in popularity by claiming they are not gambling companies in the traditional sense. But the cases against Stake.us argue that this distinction is deceptive and harmful.
It’s the same legal loophole that McDonald’s Monopoly uses to offer lottery-style gambling.
From a gambling harm perspective, the biggest concern is not whether the website uses the word “sweepstakes,” “social casino,” or “casino.” The concern is whether users can deposit money, play chance-based games, lose control, chase losses, and redeem winnings for value.
If that is happening, the public-health risk looks like gambling.
The lawsuits allege Stake.us exposes consumers to casino-style gambling without the features of a licensed, state-regulated casino. That can mean weaker consumer protection, weaker age verification, limited regulatory accountability, confusing crypto-based transactions, and fewer clear avenues for users trying to recover funds or resolve disputes.
Social casinos like Stake have led to separate lawsuits against Google and Apple for hosting the gambling app.
Regulators Are Also Closing In
The lawsuits are only one part of the pressure on Stake and the broader offshore/sweepstakes gambling industry.
In August 2025, attorneys general from 50 states and territories urged the U.S. Department of Justice to prioritize enforcement against unlawful offshore gambling platforms. The attorneys general asked the DOJ to pursue tools such as injunctive relief under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, asset and domain seizures, and coordination with states, banks, and payment processors.
State gambling regulators have also moved against Stake.us. Arizona regulators issued cease-and-desist letters against illegal gambling operators, including Stake.us. Louisiana gambling officials also announced action against illegal offshore wagering and online sweepstakes gaming.
In February 2026, the Illinois Gaming Board said it had reason to believe Stake.us was engaged in the operation of an illegal online casino in violation of Illinois law. The regulator said it observed slots, table games, sports wagering, and the ability to win cash and cryptocurrency.
That regulatory language is important. It shows that Stake.us is not merely being criticized by private plaintiffs. Government bodies are also scrutinizing the platform and the sweepstakes casino model.
Is Stake.US a Legit Casino?
GamblingHarm.org does not recommend using Stake.us.
Stake.us presents itself as a sweepstakes or social casino-style platform. But lawsuits and government actions across the country allege that the site functions like an illegal online casino.
The legal status is still being fought in court. A final nationwide ruling has not resolved every claim against Stake.us. But consumers should not confuse “available online” with “legal, safe, or regulated.”
If you are in the U.S., the safer view is this: Stake.us is a high-risk gambling product facing serious legal allegations from consumers, cities, regulators, and state officials.
Your money may not have the same protections it would have with a licensed, regulated U.S. gambling operator. And even licensed gambling operators can still cause serious addiction and financial harm.
What Are the Risks of Using Stake.US?
The lawsuits and regulatory actions point to several major risks:
Gambling addiction
Casino-style products are designed for repeated play. Slots, table games, live dealer products, and fast digital gambling can be especially risky for people who struggle with gambling control.
Chasing losses
The sweepstakes model can blur the line between entertainment and real-money gambling. Once users believe they can win back losses, the product can become financially dangerous.
Crypto confusion
Stake’s connection to cryptocurrency can make losses feel less concrete, even when the financial harm is very real. Crypto transactions may also make it harder for some users to track how much they have lost.
Weak regulatory recourse
If a platform is not licensed by a state gambling regulator, users may have fewer options when they believe games were unfair, withdrawals were delayed, accounts were restricted, or money was mishandled.
Underage exposure
The New York lawsuit specifically alleges underage gambling. Even where a company says it has age controls, the lawsuits show why regulators are increasingly worried about young people accessing casino-style products.
Influencer normalization
Several newer lawsuits focus on celebrity and influencer promotion. The concern is that celebrities can make gambling look harmless, cool, or financially rewarding, especially to younger audiences.
Are Stake Games Rigged?
Many users online have accused Stake or similar platforms of unfair games, poor customer service, or withdrawal problems. Consumers should not have to rely on trust alone.
Licensed gambling operators are still harmful and addictive, but they are at least subject to state oversight, audits, complaint processes, and legal standards. The lawsuits against Stake.us allege that the company is offering casino-style gambling outside that state-regulated framework.
For users, that creates obvious risk.
Can You Sue Stake.US or Recover Losses?
Some lawsuits seek to recover gambling losses or obtain damages for consumers. Whether an individual user can recover money depends on the state, the facts, the terms of service, arbitration clauses, and how courts handle each case.
Stake.us’ terms include arbitration language, and at least one California consumer case was sent to arbitration. That does not mean every claim will fail, but it does mean users may face legal hurdles if they try to sue individually.
If you lost significant money on Stake.us, consider speaking with a consumer protection attorney in your state. Do not rely on Stake’s customer service or marketing materials to explain your rights.
Help for Stake Gambling Addiction
You’re not alone if you developed a gambling problem on Stake.us, Stake.com, or another online casino-style platform.
If you are in the U.S. and need immediate gambling support, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER. The helpline can connect people with gambling support resources, treatment referrals, peer support, self-exclusion information, gambling-blocking tools, and financial management resources.
You can also take practical steps today:
- Block access to gambling websites with software.
- Ask your bank whether it can block gambling-related transactions.
- Give financial control to a trusted loved one while you stabilize.
- Delete gambling accounts and apps.
- Avoid crypto exchanges if they are tied to your gambling behavior.
- Consider Gamblers Anonymous, therapy, coaching, or a gambling-specialized treatment provider.
Recovery is possible. But recovery usually requires more than willpower. Online casinos are built to keep people playing.
If Stake.us or another platform has harmed your finances, relationships, or mental health, getting support is not a weakness. It is the first serious step toward stopping the damage.
Bottom Line
Stake.us is facing a growing legal crisis in the United States.
What began as a small number of lawsuits has expanded into a broader national challenge to the company’s sweepstakes casino model, celebrity promotion strategy, crypto-based gambling ecosystem, and alleged access to U.S. consumers.
Stake and related defendants deny or contest claims in some of these cases. But the trend is clear: courts, regulators, city attorneys, and consumers are increasingly questioning whether Stake.us is simply an illegal online casino hiding behind sweepstakes language.
GamblingHarm.org recommends avoiding Stake.us and similar sweepstakes casinos. These products can be addictive, financially destructive, and difficult to escape once gambling losses begin to pile up.
