Published on July 5th, 2023 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

Drake’s Influence on Sports Betting in the Black Community

If you are unaware of who Drake is, you are one of the minority.

The Canadian musician is one of the most popular musicians in the world and a huge favorite of people all over the world.

Drake is recognized for combining the singing styles of R&B with Hip Hop. He built up a following from his initial debut mixtape in 2006 called Room For Improvement. He has since released seven studio albums with the last being Honestly, Nevermind in June 2022.

He has diversified as an entrepreneur, founding record label OVO Sound in 2012 as well as becoming a global ambassador for the NBA side Toronto Raptors in 2013.

Being well known for his extravagantly themed parties which are part of his large and extravagant lifestyle. Many sports stars have been seen to meet and wear his trademarked clothing.

As well as being and musician, entrepreneur, and Toronto sports ambassador, Drake has a big reputation as someone who loves to gamble.

Drake, as you’d imagine, isn’t at all shy in sharing his betting habits and posting his outrageous stakes on his Instagram account and New York betting pops when Drake posts his actions on IG.

He will bet on all major sports from UFC to NFL, Basketball to Soccer, and not just with traditional financial bets, but with Cryptocurrency as well.

Betting Partnerships

With his love for sports betting, Drake has built up a partnership with Stake.com, a sportsbook legal across Canada and large parts of the United States.

Drake has collaborated with Stake.com with the aim of providing a new gaming experience for users which promotes better interactive connectivity.

“Drake has been an active member of our global community for a few months now, so the next step and natural evolution in the relationship was for us to collaborate on a stream,” added Stake co-founder Ed Craven, per SBC Americas.

“We share the same love for crypto, gambling, and community and are like-minded fans of the technology and culture at the forefront of this movement.

The rapper and businessman regularly shares his betting habits as well as offers customers the chance to follow his favorite games’ links to Drake’s Favourite Roulette and Favourites Sports.

In 2022, Drake dished out over $1 million in Bitcoin during a Stake.com live stream on Twitch after partnering with the operator.

While betting huge amounts of money with Stake.com the values are often a drop in the ocean for the rapper who is estimated to be worth around $200 million from record deals, sponsorships, and commercial collaborations.

The ‘Drake Curse’

With his openness with what he is betting on, and how much, a viral belief has spread across the internet of a ‘Drake Curse’.

Put simply, the Drake Curse is if Drake wears a jersey, poses for a photo with an athlete, or in any way appears to be supporting any particular team or person, that team or person will go on to lose, often against the odds.

Drake himself has at times leaned into this myth and made light of the sensation which swirls around the ‘Drake Curse’. In the 2019 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, Drake was seen to be wearing the shorts of the 76ers while watching the game and rooting for his hometown side, the Toronto Raptors.

He also has a poor track record when it comes to some of his expensive bets over the years, with a lot of losers to look back over. He has notably lost big in:

Various UFC fights including losing CA$275,000 after backing Jorge Masvidal to beat Colby Covington at UFC 272.
Picking Charles Leclerc to win the Spanish Grand Prix in 2022 but retired 27-laps in losing Drake CA$750,000
Picking Argentina to win the FIFA World Cup in regular time, only for the south American side to win on penalties after extra time, losing his CA$1 million stake.

Gambling effects on fans

Drake is a global superstar, with 139 million followers on his Instagram, he is a role model and idol to many young people.

His music has brought him many followers and his success in many forms has made him a role model, especially to young, black people around the world. He works hard and gives back, as seen when he donated $500,000 to organizations advocating for racial equality after the death of George Floyd.

With this global recognition and following, his gambling exploits could encourage younger fans to copy him with his gambling and they, themselves get more into gambling larger amounts, without the safety net which Drake has.

It is important that Drake highlights responsible gambling as a global icon, like all others around the world and in different genres, to help protect their young followers and fans.

He has a big influence in the black community, they look to him due to the personal success he has made for himself, and many will look to emulate what he has done, and does, especially young people.

You should only gamble what you can afford, and Drake has built up a huge wealth that allows him to place these extravagant bets with less fear.

SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON TWITTER

Tags: Drake, Drake Curse, Sports Betting

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.