Drake calls Gambling Addiction "a lie" in social media post
Published:
Jun 26, 2025
,
01:49 p.m.
ET
Key Points:
Drake appeared to lose $800,000 betting on the NBA Finals and shared a screenshot showing that he’d lost over $8 million in that month.
Drake posted an Instagram story with text saying that gambling addiction is “a lie” created by betting platforms like Stake (his own partner) to keep players losing.
Drake’s frequent massive bets and dismissive attitude could be red flags of at-risk gambling behaviors.
Given his partnership with Stake, there are claims he may not be wagering with his own real money, complicating how fans perceive his content and claims.
Birches Health offers confidential, evidence-based gambling addiction treatment for individuals struggling, regardless of their fame or risk levels.
—————
Editor’s Note: Gambling addiction is a serious topic and a growing issue in the United States. Only a clinical evaluation by a qualified specialist can properly determine if someone’s behavior meets the diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder.
Global superstar rapper Drake frequently attracts headlines, but this time it’s not for his latest chart-topping hit or his beef with Kendrick Lamar. While Drake’s betting behaviors (and large losses) are well-documented, they appear to have reached a potentially worrying level.
As one of the world’s most visible entertainers, Drake’s public attitude toward gambling can shape how millions of fans perceive it. After massive NBA Finals gambling losses, he posted a screenshot of his recent total losses, along with a controversial statement dismissing gambling addiction as “a lie.”
His recent Instagram stories and public remarks have reignited debate about the glamorization of celebrity betting culture and its real-life consequences for fans and the wider public.
Drake’s social media followers see flashy wins and eye-watering losses as entertainment, but for gambling harm experts, the normalization of high-stakes betting by global icons can blur the line between high-cost entertainment and compulsive behavior.
While Drake mocks the notion that he might have a gambling problem, a closer look at his behavior raises important questions about when high-stakes betting crosses into addiction territory, and why acknowledging that line matters for everyone, regardless of wealth or status.
Red-flag warning signs in Drake’s gambling behaviors
While no one can diagnose Drake potentially having a gambling problem from headlines and curated videos alone, red flags of at-risk behaviors are evident in the gambling content he’s been sharing:
Chasing losses: Repeatedly placing bigger bets in hopes of recovering prior losses is a cycle that often deepens debt and distress. On multiple occasions, Drake has increased his risk amounts in hopes of winning back what was lost. Combined with betting hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time, his behavior highlights how even celebrities can get caught in a cycle of loss-chasing, which can be very dangerous.
Emotional swings: Drake has also displayed significant emotional changes around gambling. While some of these could be dismissed as performative for the cameras and audience, his recent post dismissing gambling addiction as “a lie made up by platforms like Stake to prevent you from winning their money” could be a concerning form of lashing out that is seen in individuals struggling to keep their gambling in check.
Gambling with increasing amounts: A key here is that these risk level increases are worrying when they rise to help a gambler reach the same level of excitement and interest that was found previously at lower amounts. While we don’t know the true rationale behind his increased wager amounts (and in fairness, betting six figures is nothing new for him), it can be a sign of a problem.
Although some of these behaviors mirror patterns that specialists look for when diagnosing problem gambling, they alone do NOT mean Drake definitely has a gambling addiction. Only a clinical evaluation by a qualified gambling addiction specialist can properly determine if someone’s behavior meets the diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder.
Connect with Birches Health by clicking here, calling 833-483-3838 or emailing help@bircheshealth.com
Drake responds to claims that he is addicted to gambling
Drake’s high-stakes sports betting has long fueled online chatter and memes about the so-called “Drake Curse,” where teams he supports seemingly go on to lose. But concern peaked this June when he lost $800,000 across two wagers betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. Drake then posted screenshots showing $125 million in bets and $8 million in net losses for the month.
Drake also mocked critics in a video he posted recently, saying: “Am I a gambling addict? Yeah, I’m addicted to blessing my family and friends... I’m addicted to running it up until I’m the president of Canada.”
The dismissive tone downplays the seriousness of publicly revealing a pattern of repeated big losses and brushing off concerns as haters’ noise.
Is Drake risking his own money when betting?
Adding complexity here is the question of whether Drake is truly risking personal funds. Social media chatter, including past claims by TikTok influencer Bryce Hall, alleges that Drake’s gambling operator partner Stake may front him money to “wager” as part of his promotional deal.
Drake hasn’t confirmed this, and Stake hasn’t commented. Regardless, the optics matter: fans watching him seem to risk millions could believe this level of gambling (or levels close to it) is safe or normal, ignoring the fact that the odds are strongly stacked against players without celebrity endorsement deals. If Drake isn’t actually risking his own money, but instead using what could essentially be free credits from Stake, the content may be very misleading.
Additionally, dismissing gambling addiction as “a lie” can cause real harm. Research shows celebrity gambling content shapes how young people perceive risk, which makes them more likely to gamble and less likely to perceive the potential harms.
For people who actually develop gambling addiction, dismissing it not only stigmatizes treatment but can isolate those who need support the most. Problem gambling is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a behavioral addiction with serious potential mental health and financial impacts, relationship strain and negative consequences in other parts of life. Open dialogue and real stories about recovery help break this cycle, not jokes or dismissive false claims that sweep it under the rug.
Gambling addiction treatment in the U.S.
Anyone can struggle with gambling addiction, regardless of net worth or social status. The good news is that treatment options exist, including specialized counseling, support groups and medication in some cases.
Birches Health helps people take back control through personalized, evidence-based programs for treating gambling addiction. Discreet, confidential services can be the first step toward healthier habits and improved mental health.
Ready to begin recovery or learn more? Get in touch with Birches Health today:
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
