Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Rapper Drake accuses Vancouver casino of 'profiling,' not letting him gamble

Drake took to Instagram stories at around 3:30 am November 3 to complain about his experience with Parq Vancouver's casino operations.

Canadian rapper Drake may have left fans feeling on cloud nine after his surprise performance in the wee hours of Saturday morning at Vancouver's Fortune Sound Club, but after the show things seemed to have soured for the star elsewhere in the city.

 Drake (Twocoms/Shutterstock.com)Drake (Twocoms/Shutterstock.com)

Drake took to Instagram stories at around 3:30 am November 3 to complain about his experience with Parq Vancouver's casino operations.

"Parq Casino @parqvancouver is the worst run business I have ever witnessed...profiling me and not allowing me to gamble when I had everything they originally asked me for."

 Screenshot/InstagramScreenshot/Instagram

The specifics of the refusal of service and the alleged "profiling" have not been made known.

Recently, BC Lotteries Corporation (BCLC) engaged a third party auditor to monitor transactions to ensure certain casinos are properly documenting sources of player funds. Among the casinos receiving the additional scrutiny is Parq Casino.

Related:

The rules in place since earlier this year are that casino workers must collect a source of funds declaration for all cash and bank draft and certified cheque buy-ins for $10,000 or more in one or more transactions within a 24-hour period.

This information must be provided before the customer is allowed to buy in.

The declaration must include the financial institution, branch number and account number related to the buy in as well as the customer’s signature and in some circumstances, supporting documentation is also required.

If a customer doesn’t provide the required information, or refuses to sign the source of funds declaration, the service provider must refuse the transaction, document the refusal and notify BCLD and Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch Compliance Division (GPEB).

 The entrance to Parq Vancouver. Photo Christopher MorrisThe entrance to Parq Vancouver. Photo Christopher Morris

While it is unclear if this is precisely what stopped Parq from permitting Drake, née Aubrey Drake Graham, to gamble Saturday morning, Parq's official statement includes reference to gaming rules.

"Parq Vancouver is sorry to hear about this experience and takes these matters very seriously. We are required to adhere to strict regulations with respect to gaming in British Columbia. We are actively investigating this matter and have made several efforts to reach out to the customer and his team to discuss the issue. We are committed to having a productive conversation to resolve this issue."

Drake did not post any further Instagram stories related to Parq Vancouver. He is in Vancouver to play shows Saturday and Sunday night at Rogers Arena.

With files from Diane Strandberg/Tri-City News