The Infamous Drake Sports Betting Curse: Superstition or Statistical Coincidence?
Canadian rapper and global superstar Drake has made headlines for more than just his chart-topping music. In recent years, his involvement in sports betting has attracted widespread attention due to an alleged phenomenon known as the “Drake Curse.” This term refers to the uncanny pattern of athletes and teams losing crucial matches or events shortly after receiving Drake’s public support—often through selfies, social media posts, or massive wagers.
Origins of the Curse
The origins of the so-called Drake Curse date back to the mid-2010s when sports fans began noticing a bizarre trend. Athletes and teams who interacted with Drake often suffered defeats shortly afterward. The pattern became so prevalent that fans, pundits, and even athletes themselves began to associate Drake’s support with impending doom.
High-profile examples include:
- Conor McGregor (UFC 229): In 2018, Drake publicly supported McGregor before his bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov, even walking out with the Irish fighter. McGregor lost decisively.
- Serena Williams (Wimbledon 2015): After posing with Drake before the tournament, Williams lost in the semifinals, ending her quest for a calendar Grand Slam.
- Arsenal FC: Multiple Arsenal players have posted pictures with Drake before key matches, only for the team to subsequently lose or perform poorly.
- Manchester City (Champions League 2019): Drake wore a City jersey ahead of their quarterfinal tie with Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City was eliminated on away goals.
Drake and Stake.com
Drake’s involvement in sports betting became more serious when he partnered with the crypto-focused gambling platform Stake.com in 2022. This marked a new phase in his betting career. He began livestreaming bets, sharing screenshots of million-dollar wagers, and participating in high-stakes events alongside other influencers.
Examples of high-profile bets include:
- A $1 million bet on Argentina to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final in regular time. Argentina won the cup, but only after extra time, meaning Drake lost.
- A $2 million bet on Israel Adesanya to beat Alex Pereira at UFC 281. Adesanya lost by knockout in the fifth round.
- Multiple large-scale bets on NBA and NFL games, often with mixed results.
These losses have further fueled the narrative of the curse, despite the statistical reality that even high-stakes bettors are bound to lose often due to the house edge and variance.
Statistical vs Psychological
Critics of the Drake Curse label it a classic case of confirmation bias. When Drake supports a losing team, it becomes headline news. But when he backs a winner, the event is either downplayed or forgotten. For instance:
- He supported the Toronto Raptors during their successful 2019 NBA Championship run.
- He placed successful bets on the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
- He won over $2 million in Bitcoin when Jon Jones defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.
Despite these wins, the narrative of the curse persists, highlighting the human tendency to focus on memorable failures over routine successes.
The Curse as a Cultural Meme
The Drake Curse has taken on a life of its own in the meme culture of the internet. Fans joke about it across Reddit, Twitter, and Instagram, and even professional athletes reference it with tongue-in-cheek humor. Some players have reportedly avoided taking pictures with Drake before major competitions out of superstition.
The curse has also become part of the broader conversation about celebrity influence on sports. As someone with global reach and massive online clout, Drake’s actions—whether it’s a bet or a social media post—are scrutinized more than most.
Conclusion
Whether the Drake Curse is a real phenomenon or merely a superstition amplified by social media and selective memory, it continues to captivate fans and bettors alike. In a world where gambling, sports, and celebrity culture increasingly overlap, Drake remains a central figure—celebrated for his musical achievements, but forever shadowed by his alleged power to jinx. Whether you believe in the curse or not, one thing is certain: when Drake places a bet, the world watches.
