Drake Betting Record
Drake is known for making headlines with his extravagant bets on sporting events and his partnership with online casino Stake. While he has secured some notable wins, his track record is also marked by significant losses, leading to the coining of the “Drake Curse”.
Notable Wins
Despite his reputation for attracting bad luck, Drake has celebrated some impressive victories in the betting world⁚
- UFC London (2022)⁚ Drake’s most substantial single win came from a $2.2 million bet on Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann. He celebrated their victories by gifting them Rolex watches.
- Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat (2023)⁚ Drake won $1 million by betting on the Nuggets to beat the Heat in the NBA finals. He further bolstered his winnings with an additional $850,000 from a separate bet predicting the Heat would only secure one victory in the series.
- Super Bowl LVI (2022)⁚ Drake placed a series of successful bets on Super Bowl LVI, ultimately netting a profit of approximately $170,000. His wins included correctly predicting the Los Angeles Rams to win and Odell Beckham Jr. to score a touchdown.
- Online Roulette (2022)⁚ In a display of his high-stakes gambling style, Drake won over $200,000 on a single spin of online roulette, further solidifying his reputation for bold bets and occasional good fortune.
Notable Losses
Drake’s high-roller betting style has also resulted in some public and financially substantial losses, contributing to the legend of the “Drake Curse”⁚
- Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics (2022)⁚ Drake placed a $400,000 parlay on the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Blue Jays, and Dallas Mavericks, hoping for a $2.2 million payout. However, the bet crumbled when the Nets lost their first game against the Boston Celtics.
- Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk (2023)⁚ Betting against the odds٫ Drake placed a hefty $565٫000 wager on Tyson Fury to defeat Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight championship bout. Usyk’s victory handed Drake a significant loss.
- UFC 274 (2022)⁚ Drake lost $275٫000 betting against Colby Covington at UFC 272 and an additional $550٫000 on Justin Gaethje to defeat Charles Oliveira at UFC 274. His losing streak in this event continued with a $200٫000 loss backing Leon Edwards at UFC 278.
- FIFA World Cup Final (2022)⁚ Drake’s $1 million bet on Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup final against France ended in disappointment as Argentina faced defeat. This high-profile loss added fuel to the “Drake Curse” narrative.
Drake Curse
Drake’s penchant for high-profile bets and subsequent losses has given rise to the phenomenon known as the “Drake Curse.” It’s a tongue-in-cheek theory that athletes or teams Drake supports often experience a downturn in their performance or lose crucial games.
While entirely superstitious, the “Drake Curse” has become a popular topic among sports fans and media. Some notable examples often cited as evidence of the curse include⁚
- Serena Williams’ loss at the US Open in 2015 after Drake attended.
- Conor McGregor’s defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229٫ with Drake prominently showing his support for McGregor.
- The Toronto Raptors’ championship loss in 2019, despite Drake being a prominent fan and ambassador for the team.
While there’s no real evidence to support the curse, Drake’s highly publicized losses and association with these sporting disappointments have solidified the legend in popular culture.
Tax Implications of Drake’s Betting
Drake’s significant betting activities, like any other high-roller, come with tax obligations. While specific details about his financial arrangements remain private, here’s a general overview of how gambling winnings and losses are taxed in the United States, which is relevant given Drake’s frequent activity in the US betting scene⁚
- Gambling Winnings are Taxable Income⁚ Any winnings from gambling, whether from sports betting or casinos, are considered taxable income by the IRS.
- Reporting Requirements⁚ Casinos and betting platforms are required to issue a W2-G form for winnings exceeding a certain threshold (often $600 or more).
- Deducting Losses⁚ Gamblers can deduct their losses on their tax returns, but only up to the amount of their winnings. This deduction is only available if itemizing deductions rather than taking the standard deduction.
- Record Keeping is Crucial⁚ It’s essential for anyone engaging in significant gambling, like Drake, to keep meticulous records of all wins and losses. This includes documentation such as wagering slips, bank statements, and any W2-G forms received.
Given the complexity of tax laws and Drake’s international presence, it’s highly likely that he has tax advisors to navigate these financial obligations and optimize his tax strategy.
Drake’s Partnership with Stake
Drake’s high-stakes gambling exploits are intertwined with his prominent partnership with Stake.com, a popular online cryptocurrency casino and sportsbook. This collaboration, launched in December 2021, has significantly shaped his public image as a gambler and brought mainstream attention to the world of crypto wagering.
- Livestreaming Extravaganzas⁚ A hallmark of the partnership has been Drake’s live-streamed gambling sessions on Stake, often featuring extravagant wagers and celebrity appearances. These events, broadcast on platforms like Twitch, have attracted massive audiences and generated buzz around both Drake and Stake.
- Mutually Beneficial Promotion⁚ The partnership is a prime example of influencer marketing, with both parties reaping significant benefits. Stake gains immense visibility and credibility through association with a global superstar like Drake, while the rapper receives substantial financial incentives, reportedly in the form of equity and a share of profits.
- Ethical Concerns⁚ The collaboration has also drawn criticism and concerns, particularly regarding the lack of transparency around the financial terms and the potential for promoting gambling to a young and impressionable audience. Critics argue that Drake’s influence could normalize risky gambling behaviors.
Despite the controversies, Drake’s Stake partnership has undeniably blurred the lines between entertainment, gambling, and cryptocurrency, setting a precedent for similar celebrity endorsements in the rapidly evolving online gambling industry.