Drake Gets Another Chance to Fight Stake Gambling Lawsuit While Case Stays Frozen

Drake can continue challenging whether he belongs in a New Mexico gambling lawsuit, even as most of the case remains paused. A federal judge has left the rapper’s bid to dismiss the claims against him moving while other proceedings wait for a related ruling in Illinois. Chief U.S. District Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales signed an order granting the parties another 90-day pause on Friday, November 13. The hold is tied to a separate case that could determine whether claims connected to Stake must be handled through arbitration rather than in court. Gonzales, however, kept open the question of personal jurisdiction, allowing Drake and streamer Adin Ross to argue that New Mexico is not the proper place to sue them. The two defendants say that posting online material available nationwide does not establish the necessary connection to New Mexico. Their dismissal motions were filed on September 7, followed by the plaintiffs’ response on September 21 and a reply from Drake and Ross on October 5. The judge had previously allowed those arguments to proceed while putting discovery and the arbitration dispute on hold. The plaintiffs, Nathaniel Torres and Rory Michie, allege that Stake.us used deceptive promotion to draw them into gambling. Their claims include alleged violations of New Mexico’s Unfair Practices Act and unjust enrichment. They have also sought records concerning Drake’s Stake payments and the reach of his promotions, including whether New Mexico residents viewed the defendants’ content or used referral links and promotional codes. Drake’s connection to Stake has been visible through livestreamed high-stakes bets and social media posts showing wins and losses, while Ross has also been associated with the platform. The plaintiffs say those promotional ties matter to their case; Drake and Ross dispute that they create a basis for the New Mexico court to hear it. In a joint report, the lawyers cited an unresolved arbitration request in Urdan v. Sweepsteaks Limited, pending in Illinois, as a reason for the continued pause. Judge Gonzales has asked the parties to provide a further update on the broader proceedings. For now, the jurisdiction challenge is the only active part of the New Mexico case.