Canadian superstar Drake has lost a $300,000 bet after Canada fell 2-0 to Argentina in the Copa America semifinal.
The rapper, who stood to gain an estimated payout of $2.88 million had Canada defeated the reigning world champions, lost yet another bet following a $565,000 bet he lost after betting on Tyson Fury to defeat Oleksandr Usyk in May,
The match, held at New York’s MetLife Stadium on Tuesday night, witnessed goals from football legends Lionel Messi and Manchester City’s Julián Álvarez, propelling Argentina to the tournament final.
Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, Drake had shared his bet slip on Instagram, captioning it with a playful yet optimistic message: “This could get Messi @stake.”
The rapper has a track record of seeing teams he supports — whether through gambling or simply jumping on the bandwagon — fall short. It’s happened so often that there is a name for it: the Drake Curse.
What’s Drake curse
The “Drake curse” is a popular belief on the internet that any athlete or team that receives support from the Canadian rapper Drake will lose the sporting event in which they’re participating.
This curse is believed to affect people even if Drake is only seen in a photo with an athlete or wearing a particular jersey.
But frequently, the supposed victims of the curse are the teams and athletes Drake favors to win their contests, with an Instagram photo of a betting slip providing the evidence. Believers claim his habit of sharing his large wagers on social media dooms the side he’s rooting for.
Drake’s betting history
Drake, known for his passion in sports betting and his celebrity status, has inadvertently gained a reputation for influencing the outcomes of sporting events he supports. Unlike typical enthusiasts who experience both highs and lows in their betting endeavors, Drake’s influence seems to extend beyond the norm. Here’s a look at some notable instances where athletes supposedly fell victim to what’s known as the “Drake Curse.”
The latest example occurred with middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who faced an unexpected defeat after Drake publicly backed him with a $700,000 bet on social media. This trend continued when Drake wagered $500,000 on Israel Adesanya defeating Strickland by knockout in UFC 293, only for Adesanya to suffer a unanimous decision loss, relinquishing his middleweight title.
In a different arena, Drake placed a hefty $1.2 million bet on Jake Paul to win by knockout against Tommy Fury in a Saudi Arabia boxing match in 2023. Despite the sizable wager, Fury emerged victorious by split decision, leading Paul to suggest Drake’s presence may have contributed to his defeat.
Drake’s influence extends beyond individual athletes to team sports as well. His support for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs didn’t prevent the team from losing 6-4 to the Boston Bruins. Similarly, his motivational presence for the Alabama football team ahead of their 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship game did not yield a victory, as Alabama lost 44-16 to Clemson.
Even in basketball, Drake’s allegiance to the Toronto Raptors during the 2019 NBA playoffs took an unexpected turn when he wore a Philadelphia 76ers jersey while watching a game against his hometown team. This unorthodox move seemed to favor the Raptors, with Kawhi Leonard hitting a game-winning shot that propelled them to the Eastern Conference Finals.
These instances, among others, have contributed to the lore surrounding the “Drake Curse,” highlighting the peculiar phenomenon where his support, whether through betting or fandom, often coincides with unexpected losses for the athletes and teams he champions.
The Glory Days
Drake has, however, had some more success. In 2022, during Super Bowl LVI, he placed a $600,000 bet on the Los Angeles Rams to win, resulting in a payout of nearly $906,000 when the Rams emerged victorious.
Later that year, Drake bet $1 million on Argentina to win the World Cup final against France, earning a hefty $2.75 million payout as Argentina ended a 36-year championship drought.
He continued his streak by wagering $1.15 million on the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl, netting $2.3 million when they defeated the San Francisco 49ers.
Drake also ventured into cricket betting for the first time, betting $250,000 on the Kolkata Knight Riders to win the IPL final against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which paid off with a $425,000 return.