Stake.com has established itself as one of the premier crypto gambling destinations worldwide. Founded in 2017, this platform has grown rapidly to become a powerhouse in both casino gaming and sports betting. With high-profile sponsorships including UFC and Formula 1, Stake has built significant brand recognition while maintaining its focus on cryptocurrency transactions and innovative gaming experiences.
What is Stake.com and who’s behind it
Stake.com launched in 2017 under the ownership of Medium Rare N.V., a company registered in Curaçao. The platform was co-founded by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, with Mladen Vučković serving as CEO. What began as a crypto-focused gambling site has evolved into a gambling juggernaut that reported an impressive US $4.7 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2024.
The company’s meteoric rise is partly fueled by strategic partnerships and sponsorships that have put Stake on the global stage. These include becoming the official betting partner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), sponsoring the Stake F1 Team (formerly Sauber), and serving as the primary sponsor for Everton FC in the English Premier League. Other notable sponsorships include partnerships with Drake, Kun Agüero, Israel Adesanya, and the Davis Cup tennis tournament.
Stake also operates several sister brands, including Kick (a streaming platform), Primedice, and Stake.us – a sweepstakes version for the US market where real-money gambling faces significant restrictions.
Stake’s game library and betting options
Stake offers an extensive gaming library that caters to virtually every gambling preference. The casino section features over 3,000 RNG (Random Number Generator) titles from major providers, complemented by Evolution and Pragmatic Play live dealer tables for an authentic casino experience.
What sets Stake apart are its 19 proprietary “Stake Originals” games, including popular titles like Crash, Plinko, and Mines. These house-developed games offer transparent odds through provably fair technology, allowing players to verify the fairness of each game outcome.
The sportsbook is equally impressive, covering more than 40 sports with thousands of live events. Stake provides competitive odds across major leagues and niche competitions alike. The platform particularly excels in esports coverage, offering markets for approximately 20 different titles – considerably more than many traditional sportsbooks.
A standout feature is Stake’s in-house streaming service, which allows users to watch many events directly on the platform without geoblocking restrictions on the video feeds. This creates a seamless bet-and-watch experience that many competitors can’t match.
Cryptocurrency options and payment processing
True to its crypto-native roots, Stake supports over 20 cryptocurrencies. The core selection includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), XRP, Tron (TRX), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Binance Coin (BNB), stablecoins like USDT and USDC, plus Polygon (MATIC), ApeCoin (APE), DAI, and Chainlink (LINK).
For those without crypto, Stake offers fiat on-ramps through partnerships with MoonPay and Swapped.com. However, it’s worth noting that the main Stake.com platform doesn’t maintain a native fiat cashier – all gameplay happens in cryptocurrency.
Deposit minimums are extremely flexible, with no lower cap for on-chain transactions. For those using fiat proxy services, minimums typically start around $50, though this varies by promotion.
One of Stake’s major advantages is its withdrawal processing. Crypto withdrawals are near-instant, typically processed within 30 minutes once approved. The minimum withdrawal amounts are reasonably low – for instance, approximately 0.00003928 BTC or 0.00070433 ETH – making the platform accessible to casual players as well as high rollers.
Bonuses, VIP program, and player incentives
Stake’s global welcome offer provides new players with a 200% match up to $2,000 (or equivalent cryptocurrency), subject to a 40× wagering requirement on both the bonus and deposit amounts. While this wagering requirement is higher than some competitors, it’s relatively standard in the crypto gambling space.
Where Stake truly shines is with its VIP Club. This tiered loyalty program spans at least 15 levels, with progression based on wagering volume. Benefits increase substantially as players climb the ladder, starting with basic rakeback (gambling cashback) for lower tiers.
The real perks kick in at Platinum level and above, where members gain access to a personal VIP host, weekly reload bonuses, and monthly bonuses tailored to their play style and volume. High-level VIPs also receive exclusive promotions, early access to new features, and customized rewards packages that can significantly boost their effective return-to-player percentage.
This comprehensive VIP structure has helped Stake retain high-volume players and build a loyal community around its platform, despite increasing competition in the crypto gambling market.
Security, fairness, and licensing
Stake operates under a licence from the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (Cert. OGL/2024/1451/0918). While Curaçao licences are generally considered less stringent than those from jurisdictions like Malta or the UK, Stake has implemented robust security measures to protect players.
The platform offers provably fair verification for its Originals games, allowing players to check the mathematical fairness of each game outcome through SHA-256 hash verification. This transparency provides an extra layer of assurance beyond traditional RNG certification.
Security features include two-factor authentication (2-FA) and vault cold-storage for funds. Stake is also verified by the Crypto Gambling Foundation, an industry organization that promotes transparency and player protection.
It’s worth noting that Stake experienced a significant security incident on September 4, 2023, when hackers stole $41 million from the platform’s hot wallet. The FBI attributed this attack to North Korea’s Lazarus Group. However, Stake managed the crisis relatively well, restoring operations within 9 hours and ensuring that no user balances were affected – the company covered all losses from its reserves.
This incident highlighted both the security challenges facing crypto platforms and Stake’s financial stability, as smaller operators might not have survived such a substantial theft.
Geographic restrictions and accessibility
Stake’s regulatory landscape is complex and constantly evolving. The platform withdrew its UK licence in February 2025, with Stake.uk closing on March 11, 2025. In the United States, Stake.com is geo-blocked, though the company operates Stake.us – a sweepstakes model casino where players use virtual currency that can be redeemed for prizes.
Many tier-1 European jurisdictions, including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, and Sweden, block access to Stake.com. The company is reviewing potential regional mirrors for these markets, but regulatory hurdles remain significant.
Latin American countries and Canada represent Stake’s strongest open markets, where the platform invests heavily in marketing and localization. Overall, Stake is blocked in approximately 30-40 jurisdictions worldwide.
A contentious issue is VPN use to access the platform from restricted regions. While widely discussed in gambling forums, Stake’s terms of service explicitly forbid this practice, and the platform has been known to void winnings when detecting VPN usage – though enforcement appears inconsistent based on reviewer reports.
User experience and mobile accessibility
Stake offers a streamlined, modern user interface that balances functionality with ease of use. The platform’s design follows contemporary web standards with intuitive navigation, making it accessible to both crypto veterans and newcomers.
The site is fully responsive and works well on mobile browsers, with games and betting markets optimized for smaller screens. However, a notable weakness is the lack of dedicated mobile apps for iOS or Android. While many competitors have launched native apps to enhance the mobile experience, Stake relies entirely on its mobile web version.
Community features are well-integrated, with active chat rooms and social elements that foster player interaction. The platform also maintains an informative blog with betting guides, crypto explainers, and company news that helps engage its user base.
Game loading times are generally fast, and the betting interface allows for quick wagers across both casino and sports sections. The search functionality and filtering options make it easy to find specific games or sporting events despite the extensive catalog.
Responsible gambling tools and player protection
Stake provides a reasonably comprehensive set of responsible gambling tools, though they fall short of the gold standards set by some UK or European licensed operators. Available features include:
– Deposit limits that allow players to control how much they fund their accounts
– Loss limits to prevent excessive gambling losses within set periods
– Time alerts that remind players how long they’ve been active
– Self-exclusion options for those who need to take a break from gambling
– Links to external support resources like GamblingTherapy and BetBlocker
The platform also implements reality check pop-ups that appear every 60 minutes during gameplay, prompting users to assess their session and consider whether to continue.
While these tools provide basic protection, they lack some advanced features found on more heavily regulated platforms, such as behavioral analysis or mandatory cooling-off periods after significant losses.
Pros and cons of using Stake.com
Strengths:
– True crypto native platform supporting 20+ coins with near-instant withdrawals
– Huge game catalog including proprietary Stake Originals with provably fair verification
– Deep sports and esports markets complemented by free HD streams
– Robust VIP program with significant benefits for regular players
– Transparent provably-fair system and solid 2-FA security
– High-profile sponsorships lending brand credibility
Weaknesses:
– Operates under a Curaçao license, offering lower consumer protection than UK or EU regulators
– History of a high-profile hack in September 2023
– No dedicated mobile app, relying solely on mobile web
– Blocked in 30-40 jurisdictions worldwide, including major markets
– High wagering requirements (40×) on the welcome bonus
– Limited fiat options, primarily focusing on cryptocurrency transactions
Conclusion: Is Stake.com right for you?
Stake.com represents an excellent option for cryptocurrency enthusiasts who prioritize game variety, sports betting depth, and fast withdrawals. The platform particularly shines for medium to high-volume players who can benefit from its extensive VIP program and loyalty rewards.
The site is best suited for those in jurisdictions where it operates legally, particularly Latin America and Canada, where the full experience is available without restrictions. Esports bettors will find Stake’s offering particularly compelling, with market depth and streaming capabilities that exceed many competitors.
However, players seeking the highest level of regulatory protection might prefer platforms licensed in the UK, Malta, or other tier-1 jurisdictions. Similarly, those uncomfortable with cryptocurrency or preferring traditional banking methods would be better served elsewhere.
The security incident in 2023 demonstrates both a risk (cyber vulnerability) and a strength (financial stability to cover losses) that potential users should consider. For those comfortable with these trade-offs, Stake offers a feature-rich, crypto-native gambling experience that ranks among the best in its class.