Stake is a Curaçao-licensed cryptocurrency-based online casino and sports betting platform operated by Medium Rare NV. Launched in 2017 by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, it has become one of the largest crypto gambling brands globally, serving millions of players with instant blockchain payments and thousands of games.
Stake has established itself as a dominant force in the cryptocurrency gambling sector since its 2017 launch. Founded by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, who previously created Easygo, a game development company for online casinos, Stake represents the evolution of online gambling into the blockchain era. The platform reported revenue of 2.6 billion USD in 2022, demonstrating its massive scale and market penetration. Unlike traditional online casinos that primarily use fiat currencies, Stake operates exclusively with cryptocurrencies, offering a fundamentally different approach to online gambling that appeals to crypto-savvy players worldwide.
The platform's growth trajectory has been remarkable, expanding from its initial launch to serving millions of players across numerous jurisdictions. In December 2021, Stake expanded to the United Kingdom through a partnership with TGP Europe, and in August 2022, launched Stake.us as a separate site for U.S. residents to comply with regional regulations. This strategic approach to market expansion demonstrates the company's commitment to operating within legal frameworks while maximizing global reach.
Stake positions itself as a crypto-first gambling platform, distinguishing itself from competitors who added cryptocurrency as an afterthought to existing fiat operations. This fundamental design choice influences every aspect of the user experience, from account creation to game selection and withdrawal processing. The platform supports major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and numerous altcoins, giving players flexibility in how they manage their gambling funds.
The interface reflects modern web design principles with a clean, minimalist aesthetic that prioritizes functionality over visual complexity. Navigation is intuitive, with clear categorization of games, sports betting markets, and promotional offerings. The platform loads quickly and adjusts seamlessly to different screen sizes, providing consistent performance whether accessed via desktop browser or mobile device. This technical polish extends to game loading times, which are notably fast compared to many competitors.
Stake offers an extensive catalog exceeding 3,600 games, spanning multiple categories including slots, table games, live dealer experiences, and exclusive Stake Originals. This massive selection comes from partnerships with leading software providers in the industry, ensuring quality and variety that appeals to diverse player preferences.
The slot portfolio represents the largest segment of Stake's game library, featuring titles from providers such as Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Play'n GO, and numerous others. Popular titles include Big Bass Boom, which features enhanced RTP options reaching 98%, significantly higher than industry averages. The slot selection covers all major themes and mechanics, from classic fruit machines to complex video slots with multiple bonus features, cascading reels, and progressive jackpots.
Players can filter slots by provider, volatility, features, and popularity, making it easier to discover games matching specific preferences. The platform regularly updates its slot offerings, adding new releases shortly after they become available from providers. This commitment to freshness keeps the gaming experience current and engaging for regular players.
One of Stake's most distinctive features is its collection of Stake Originals, proprietary games developed exclusively for the platform. These include Crash, Plinko, Dice, Limbo, Mines, and other titles that have become synonymous with crypto gambling. These games typically feature provably fair technology, allowing players to verify the randomness and fairness of each outcome through blockchain verification.
Crash has emerged as a particular favorite, tapping into the same psychological engagement that makes live betting compelling. The game involves a multiplier that increases from 1x upward, with players deciding when to cash out before the inevitable crash. The simplicity combined with the tension of timing creates an addictive gameplay loop that has proven extremely popular in the crypto gambling community.
Plinko adapts the classic probability game into a gambling format, where players drop balls down a pegged board to land in slots with different multiplier values. Mines reimagines the classic Minesweeper concept as a gambling game where players reveal tiles while avoiding hidden mines, with increasing payouts for each safe tile revealed. These original games demonstrate Stake's commitment to innovation beyond simply aggregating third-party content.
Stake provides extensive live dealer gaming through partnerships with leading live casino providers. Players can access live versions of blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and game show-style experiences with professional dealers streaming in real-time. The live casino section features multiple variants of each game type, accommodating different betting limits from casual players to high rollers.
The streaming quality is consistently high, with multiple camera angles and clear audio ensuring an immersive experience. Live chat functionality allows interaction with dealers and other players, recreating the social atmosphere of physical casinos. The live dealer games operate 24/7, ensuring availability regardless of player time zones.
Beyond casino gaming, Stake operates a comprehensive sportsbook covering major sports worldwide. The sports betting platform includes pre-match and live betting options across football, basketball, tennis, cricket, and numerous other sports. The betting interface provides clear odds display, quick bet slip functionality, and live match statistics to inform betting decisions.
Stake has developed particular strength in cricket betting, recognizing the sport's massive popularity in markets like India, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The platform offers extensive coverage of international cricket including Test matches, One Day Internationals, T20 leagues, and domestic competitions. Betting markets extend beyond simple match winners to include player performance props, innings totals, and specialized cricket betting options.
This regional sports focus extends to other markets as well, with comprehensive coverage of sports popular in specific jurisdictions. The platform adapts its sports offering based on user demographics, ensuring relevant betting opportunities for its diverse international player base.
Recognizing the overlap between cryptocurrency users and esports enthusiasts, Stake provides extensive esports betting markets. Coverage includes major titles such as Counter-Strike, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Valorant, with betting options on professional tournaments and leagues worldwide. The esports section features live streaming for many events, allowing players to watch matches while placing bets.
The esports betting interface mirrors traditional sports betting functionality while accommodating the unique aspects of competitive gaming. Markets include match winners, map winners, tournament outright winners, and specialized props related to in-game events and player performance metrics.
Stake operates under a Curaçao e-gaming license, allowing it to serve an international audience across most countries worldwide. The platform uses blockchain technology exclusively for transactions, eliminating traditional banking methods in favor of fast, borderless cryptocurrency payments. Players deposit and withdraw using major cryptocurrencies, with transactions processed significantly quicker than conventional payment methods.
The platform combines casino gaming with sports betting in a unified interface optimized for both desktop and mobile devices. Stake employs two-factor authentication and encrypted vault storage for crypto funds, ensuring security while maintaining the speed and transparency that blockchain technology provides. The company maintains offices in Serbia, Australia, and Cyprus with a global staff supporting multilingual operations.
Stake's exclusive focus on cryptocurrency payments represents both its greatest strength and a potential barrier for some users. The platform supports a wide range of digital currencies, providing flexibility for players already invested in the crypto ecosystem. Supported cryptocurrencies typically include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Ripple, and various stablecoins.
Deposits on Stake are processed through blockchain transactions, which means speed depends on network conditions for the specific cryptocurrency used. Bitcoin deposits typically require multiple confirmations before funds become available, which can take 10-60 minutes depending on network congestion and transaction fees. Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies with faster block times generally process more quickly, often within minutes.
The platform does not impose deposit fees, though players must account for blockchain network fees when sending transactions. Minimum deposit amounts vary by cryptocurrency but are generally set at reasonable levels to accommodate casual players. The deposit interface provides clear wallet addresses and QR codes, simplifying the transfer process for users familiar with cryptocurrency wallets.
Withdrawals represent one of Stake's strongest competitive advantages. Once a withdrawal request is submitted, processing typically occurs within minutes to hours, dramatically faster than traditional online casinos that may take days or weeks. This speed results from the blockchain-based payment system, which eliminates intermediary banking processes and manual approval delays.
Withdrawal limits vary based on account verification status and VIP level. Standard accounts face daily and monthly withdrawal caps, while VIP members enjoy significantly higher or unlimited withdrawal privileges. The platform requires account verification for larger withdrawals, implementing Know Your Customer procedures to comply with anti-money laundering regulations.
Players must understand that cryptocurrency volatility affects their gambling bankroll. A balance held in Bitcoin or Ethereum will fluctuate in value relative to fiat currencies based on market conditions. This creates an additional layer of risk beyond the gambling itself. Some players mitigate this by using stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies, though these may offer less long-term appreciation potential.
Stake maintains an active promotional calendar designed to keep players engaged through various incentive structures. The promotional approach differs somewhat from traditional online casinos, reflecting the cryptocurrency-focused player base and the platform's operational model.
New player bonuses vary by region, with Stake offering different welcome packages based on jurisdiction. Some markets receive percentage-based deposit bonuses with specific rollover requirements, while others access alternative promotional structures. Rollover requirements typically range around 40x the combined deposit and bonus amount, which is standard for the industry though still substantial.
The welcome bonus terms require careful reading, as cryptocurrency gambling bonuses often include restrictions on eligible games, maximum bet sizes during bonus play, and time limits for meeting wagering requirements. Players should verify current bonus terms directly on the platform, as promotional offers change regularly.
Stake runs continuous promotional activities including weekly raffles, racing competitions, and provider-specific promotions such as Pragmatic Drops and Wins. The weekly raffle typically offers substantial prize pools, with entries earned through wagering activity. Racing competitions pit players against each other in wagering contests over specified periods, with leaderboard positions determining prize distribution.
These ongoing promotions create a gamified environment that extends beyond individual game sessions, encouraging regular engagement with the platform. The promotional calendar is prominently displayed, allowing players to plan their activity around events offering the best value.
Stake's VIP program represents a significant value proposition for regular players. The program features multiple tiers, with advancement based on cumulative wagering volume. VIP benefits include rakeback, which returns a percentage of the house edge to players regardless of win or loss outcomes, reload bonuses, exclusive promotions, dedicated account management, and higher withdrawal limits.
Rakeback percentages increase with VIP tier, providing meaningful value for high-volume players. This feature is particularly attractive compared to traditional online casinos, which rarely offer comparable ongoing return mechanisms. The VIP program creates a loyalty structure that rewards consistent play with tangible financial benefits.
Stake operates under a Curaçao e-gaming license issued to Medium Rare NV. While Curaçao licensing is common in the online gambling industry, it is generally considered less stringent than licenses from jurisdictions like the United Kingdom, Malta, or Gibraltar. The platform implements standard security measures including SSL encryption for data transmission and two-factor authentication for account access.
Many of Stake's original games utilize provably fair technology, a cryptographic system that allows players to verify the randomness and fairness of game outcomes. This technology generates a cryptographic hash before each game round, which players can later verify against the actual outcome to confirm no manipulation occurred. This transparency represents a significant advantage of blockchain-based gambling platforms.
Stake employs two-factor authentication as an optional but strongly recommended security feature. Players can enable 2FA through authenticator apps, adding a second verification layer beyond passwords. The platform also uses encrypted vault storage for cryptocurrency funds, separating hot wallets used for immediate transactions from cold storage for the majority of player funds.
The platform provides responsible gambling tools including deposit limits, loss limits, wagering limits, and self-exclusion options. Players can set these restrictions through their account settings, implementing controls to manage gambling behavior. However, the ease of creating new cryptocurrency wallets and the pseudonymous nature of crypto transactions make these controls less effective than in traditional online casinos with strict identity verification.
Stake provides links to gambling support organizations and information about problem gambling, though the effectiveness of these measures depends largely on player self-awareness and willingness to utilize available tools.
Stake's history includes several significant events that have shaped its reputation and operations. In September 2023, over 41 million USD was stolen from one of Stake's Ethereum wallets in a hacking incident. The Federal Bureau of Investigation attributed the attack to North Korea's Lazarus Group, a state-sponsored hacking organization. Stake covered the losses and continued operations, demonstrating financial resilience but also highlighting security vulnerabilities inherent in managing large cryptocurrency holdings.
In June 2023, a federal judge in Manhattan dismissed a 580 million USD lawsuit against Stake due to jurisdictional issues. The plaintiff, Christopher Freeman, claimed he had been excluded from the business and misled using illegal tactics. While dismissed on technical grounds rather than merits, the lawsuit revealed internal disputes among early stakeholders.
In February 2025, Stake announced it was surrendering its UK gambling license following complaints about a social media advertisement featuring adult content creator Bonnie Blue. Regulators and advocacy groups criticized the advertisement for potentially using sexual content to attract young customers. The company's UK business closed on March 11, 2025, representing a significant market exit driven by regulatory and reputational concerns.
Stake has invested heavily in high-profile sponsorships to build brand recognition. The platform sponsors Drake, the internationally famous musician who has become closely associated with the brand through social media promotion. Stake also sponsors the Stake F1 Team in Formula 1 racing, UFC, Everton Football Club in the English Premier League, and several South American football clubs including Esporte Clube Juventude and FBC Melgar.
These sponsorships have dramatically increased Stake's visibility, particularly among younger demographics interested in sports and entertainment. However, they have also attracted criticism from gambling harm advocates who argue that such prominent advertising normalizes gambling and exposes vulnerable populations to gambling marketing.
Stake does not require a dedicated mobile app download, instead offering a fully responsive web platform that functions seamlessly on mobile browsers. This approach eliminates app store restrictions and approval processes while ensuring consistent functionality across devices. The mobile experience mirrors desktop functionality, with all games, betting markets, and account features accessible through smartphone or tablet browsers.
For users who prefer app-based experiences, Stake has released applications for specific platforms. In December 2024, Stake became the first online casino to release an application for Apple Vision Pro, demonstrating commitment to emerging technology platforms. Android and iOS apps are also available in regions where app store policies permit gambling applications.
The interface design prioritizes quick access to popular features, with prominent placement of game categories, sports betting markets, and promotional offerings. Search functionality allows rapid game discovery, while filtering options help narrow selections based on provider, game type, or features. The overall user experience reflects modern web design standards with minimal loading times and intuitive navigation patterns.
Stake operates internationally under its Curaçao license, with availability in most countries worldwide. However, the platform restricts access in numerous jurisdictions due to local gambling regulations. Restricted territories typically include the United States (except through the separate Stake.us platform), United Kingdom (following the 2025 license surrender), France, Netherlands, and various other countries with strict online gambling prohibitions.
Players should verify local gambling laws before accessing Stake, as using VPNs or other methods to circumvent geographic restrictions violates the platform's terms of service and may result in account closure and fund forfeiture. The legal landscape for online gambling continues evolving, with some jurisdictions tightening restrictions while others develop regulated frameworks.
Stake has established itself as a leading cryptocurrency gambling platform through a combination of extensive game selection, fast blockchain-based payments, innovative original games, and aggressive marketing. The platform excels in areas that matter most to crypto-savvy players: transaction speed, game variety, and ongoing promotional value through rakeback and VIP programs. The exclusive focus on cryptocurrency eliminates traditional banking friction while introducing volatility considerations and requiring crypto literacy from users.
The platform's strengths include its massive game catalog, instant withdrawal processing, provably fair gaming options, and comprehensive sports betting integration. The VIP program provides genuine ongoing value for regular players, distinguishing Stake from competitors with less generous loyalty structures. However, the Curaçao licensing jurisdiction, past security incidents, and recent regulatory challenges in markets like the UK represent concerns that potential users should carefully consider.
Stake is best suited for players comfortable with cryptocurrency, seeking both casino and sports betting on a unified platform, and valuing transaction speed over traditional banking options. The platform's scale, reputation, and feature set make it a top choice within the crypto gambling sector, though users must approach with realistic expectations about the risks inherent in both gambling and cryptocurrency volatility.
Stake accepts major cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Ripple, and various stablecoins. The specific list of supported currencies may expand over time as new cryptocurrencies gain adoption.
Withdrawals on Stake typically process within minutes to a few hours, depending on blockchain network conditions and account verification status. This is significantly faster than traditional online casinos that may take days or weeks for withdrawal processing.
Stake operates under a Curaçao license and is available in most countries worldwide, but is restricted in jurisdictions including the United States (except Stake.us), United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, and others with strict online gambling regulations. Players should verify local laws before accessing the platform.
Stake offers welcome bonuses that vary by region, with some markets receiving percentage-based deposit bonuses with rollover requirements around 40x the combined deposit and bonus amount. Bonus terms change regularly, so players should check current offers directly on the platform.
Rakeback is a VIP program feature that returns a percentage of the house edge to players regardless of whether they win or lose. The rakeback percentage increases with VIP tier level, providing ongoing value for regular players based on their cumulative wagering volume.
Many of Stake's original games utilize provably fair technology, which allows players to verify the randomness and fairness of outcomes through cryptographic verification. This transparency feature is a significant advantage of blockchain-based gambling platforms.
Yes, Stake offers a fully responsive web platform that works seamlessly on mobile browsers without requiring app downloads. Dedicated apps are also available for Android, iOS, and Apple Vision Pro in regions where app store policies permit gambling applications.
In February 2025, Stake announced it was surrendering its UK gambling license following regulatory complaints about advertising content. The company's UK operations closed on March 11, 2025, and UK residents can no longer access the platform.
Stake has invested in high-profile sponsorships across sports and entertainment to build global brand recognition and reach diverse audiences.
Proprietary games developed exclusively for Stake, featuring provably fair technology and gameplay designed specifically for cryptocurrency gambling.
Professional live dealer games streaming in real-time, offering authentic casino atmosphere with blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and game show formats.
Stake surrendered its UK gambling license and closed operations in the United Kingdom following complaints about advertising content featuring adult content creators.
Stake became the first online casino to release an application for Apple Vision Pro, expanding accessibility to emerging technology platforms.
Stake experienced a 41 million USD hack attributed to North Korea's Lazarus Group but covered all player losses and continued operations without interruption.