Canadian rapper Drake pocketed more than $1 million (N1.3b) after successfully backing Canada to defeat South Africa in their FIFA World Cup clash.
The Grammy-winning artist reportedly wagered $770,000 on Canada to claim victory, with the bet returning a total payout of $1.001 million. The successful wager earned him an estimated profit of $231,000.
Drake revealed the bet on Instagram ahead of the match, explaining that it was prompted by a private exchange with South African DJ Black Coffee.
“@realblackcoffee was chirping in the DM I had to raise the STAKES,” he wrote while sharing a screenshot of the wager.
The celebrity wager added extra intrigue to a fixture that carried huge significance for South Africa, whose impressive World Cup campaign had generated excitement both at home and across the African continent.
Canada eventually secured a 1-0 victory at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles after midfielder Stephen Eustáquio struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send the co-hosts into the Round of 16 for the first time in FIFA World Cup history.
The defeat brought an end to South Africa’s remarkable tournament run. Guided by Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana had exceeded expectations by progressing from the group stage, including a memorable 1-0 victory over South Korea that earned the team widespread recognition.
Drake’s latest win adds to his reputation as one of the world’s most prominent celebrity sports bettors.
Since partnering with crypto casino platform Stake in 2021 under the alias DeepPockets6, the Toronto-born musician has reportedly placed bets worth nearly £1 billion on major sporting events.
His betting portfolio includes the Super Bowl, NBA playoffs, UFC title fights, Formula One races, football matches and previous FIFA World Cup fixtures.
One of his most notable wagers came during the 2022 FIFA World Cup final when he staked £837,000 on Argentina to defeat France in regulation time. Although Argentina eventually lifted the trophy, Kylian Mbappé’s late equaliser forced extra time, causing Drake’s bet to fall short because it depended on a 90-minute victory.