Canadian rapper Drake showcased a $770,000 USDT bet on Instagram on June 28, wagering that Canada would defeat South Africa and advance to the Round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Drake cashed in the bet at odds of 1.30, netting a profit of approximately $230,000 USDT. This marks a rare recorded winning case in Drake's recent cryptocurrency sports betting history.
Bet Odds Structure and Profit Calculation
The bet was placed on Canada advancing to the Round of 16. Canada's odds were 1.30, meaning for every $1.30 wagered, $1 in pure profit would be earned. Drake wagered $770,000 USDT, and at these odds, the final net profit was approximately $230,000 USDT, with the total payout around $1 million USDT. The match was decided by a last-minute goal from Canada, defeating South Africa 1-0 and determining which team advanced from the group stage to the knockout rounds.
Known Record of Drake's Recent Major Crypto Sports Bets
Below is a public record of Drake's recent cryptocurrency sports bets:
2022: Over $600,000 in Bitcoin wagered on Barcelona defeating Real Madrid in "El Clásico." Barcelona lost, and the bet was lost.
2024 Copa América: $300,000 in Bitcoin wagered on Canada defeating Argentina in the semifinals (odds 9.60). Argentina won 2-0 with Messi scoring the second goal; the bet was lost.
2024 UFC: $700,000 in Bitcoin wagered; the bet was lost.
2025 Super Bowl: $1 million in cryptocurrency wagered on the New England Patriots. The Patriots lost, and the bet was lost.
2026 UEFA Champions League Final: $1 million wagered on Arsenal defeating Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal lost 4-3 in a penalty shootout; the bet was lost.
June 28, 2026: $770,000 USDT wagered on Canada defeating South Africa. Canada won 1-0, yielding a profit of approximately $230,000 USDT.
Origin and Cultural Background of the "Drake Curse"
The "Drake Curse" refers to the superstition that when Drake publicly supports a team or athlete, the supported party tends to underperform. This notion gained traction due to Drake's long-standing pattern of showcasing bets on social media and repeatedly losing, drawing particular attention after his failed El Clásico bet in 2022, which even earned its own Wikipedia entry. Despite numerous losses, Drake has continued to place large cryptocurrency bets. The June 28, 2026 result is a rare recorded winning case in recent years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Drake choose USDT instead of Bitcoin for this bet?
Drake did not publicly explain his choice of USDT (Tether) over Bitcoin. USDT's peg to the U.S. dollar allows the bet's principal and profit to be denominated directly in dollars, avoiding the impact of Bitcoin price volatility on the actual profit figure.
Is there any statistical or scientific basis for the "Drake Curse"?
The "Drake Curse" is a cultural superstition with no scientific basis. The outcome of sports events is determined by complex variables such as skill, form, and match-ups. A celebrity's public endorsement does not directly affect match results. Drake's winning bet on Canada is an exception to this superstition.
What is Canada's next match arrangement after advancing to the Round of 16?
Canada advanced to the Round of 16 from the group stage. As of the report on June 28, their Round of 16 opponent was determined based on the 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule. As of the report, Drake had not released any related cryptocurrency bet for the upcoming match.
