Donald Trump is using his Truth Social platform to promote Stake.us, an unregulated online casino considered illegal by many US regulators. This promotion strangely coincides with a $1 million donation from Stake co-founder Bijan Tehrani to a pro-Trump Super PAC, raising serious questions about a possible political backlash.
It's a particularly telling mix of genres. On his own social network, Truth Social, the American president unabashedly displays AI-generated promotional images featuring him alongside the Stake.us logo. These publications, which appeared several times in April and May, are officially linked to a UFC match, of which Stake is a major sponsor. The timing, however, is calculated, outlining the contours of an affair where financial and political interests seem intimately linked.
Why would Trump associate himself with such a controversial casino?
The answer seems to lie in the financial records of the president's campaign. On April 27, Bijan Tehrani, co-founder and co-owner of Stake, donated $1 million to MAGA Inc. the main Super PAC (a political action committee that can raise unlimited funds) supporting Trump. It's hard not to see a direct correlation here, a kind of digital "elevator return" where the line between sponsorship and political influence becomes dangerously blurred. This is not an isolated case, but a glaring example of how political donations can align with highly visible public actions.
This pattern of funding raises fundamental ethical questions, especially when a figure of Trump' s stature lends his image, and by extension that of the White House at events, to a company being sued in several states. Money, as so often, seems to speak louder than caution or apparent legality.
What is Stake.us and why is it considered illegal?
Stake.us operates on a "social casino" model that exploits a legal vacuum. The Cyprus-based platform uses a dual currency system: Gold Coins, which have no real value, and Stake Cash, which is convertible into cryptocurrencies or gift cards. To obtain "Stake Cash", players must purchase packs of "Gold Coins", which, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney, is merely a "ruse" to disguise real-money gambling. This complex mechanism enables this type of online casino to circumvent strict gambling laws in the USA.
As a result, the company is facing more than a dozen lawsuits, and its access is already blocked in at least 17 U.S. states. Regulators consider that its model purely and simply violates state gambling laws. This move places Stake.us in a very different category from regulated operators such as Betway Casino, which must comply with strict rules in order to operate legally. The involvement of a major public figure only adds to consumer confusion.
What are the wider implications of this type of sponsorship?
The Stake.us case is a perfect example of an aggressive legitimization strategy. By partnering with celebrities like rapper Drake, who is reportedly paid $100 million a year, and powerful organizations like the UFC, Stake is seeking to normalize its image despite its precarious legal status. Trump' s involvement propels this strategy to a whole new level.
It sets a worrying precedent. To see a sitting president actively promoting a business branded illegal by his own country's authorities muddies the waters. It suggests that substantial financial contributions can buy visibility and moral backing, even when the company's activities are openly challenged in court.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Who is Bijan Tehrani?
Bijan Tehrani is the co-founder and billionaire co-owner of Stake.us. Although resident in Australia, he is a US citizen, which allows him to legally donate to political action committees such as MAGA Inc.
Is the Stake.us online casino legal in the USA?
Stake.us has not obtained a gaming license in any US jurisdiction. In fact, it is actively blocked in at least 17 states due to its "sweepstakes" model, which is considered a form of illegal gambling by many regulators.
