Ontario Regulators Hinder Stake's Crypto Gambling Ambitions

Stake, a prominent crypto-based online gambling platform, is currently not legal in Ontario, Canada, as of January 2025. According to regulatory requirements, all online casinos and sportsbooks must obtain a license from iGaming Ontario to operate legally within the province. At present, Stake has not secured such a license, preventing players in Ontario from accessing the platform within legal boundaries [2].

Despite this, there have been ongoing developments suggesting that Stake is pursuing a legal presence in Canada. The platform has reportedly hired Kris Abbott as a country manager for Canada, with a specific focus on entering the Ontario market. Additionally, Stake has expressed intentions to launch a localized version of its platform, Stake.ca, that would comply with Ontario’s regulatory standards. However, the exact timeline for such a launch remains unconfirmed, and previous reports indicate that the platform has faced multiple delays in its efforts to enter the Canadian market [2].

Stake operates under a Curaçao gaming license (No. 8048/JAZ) and is also licensed in the United Kingdom under the Gambling Commission (license No. 38898). These licenses do not extend to Canadian jurisdictions, including Ontario, which enforces its own stringent licensing and compliance requirements through iGaming Ontario. The absence of a local license means that residents in Ontario must seek out alternative legal operators that have already met the province’s regulatory criteria [1].

For players in Ontario interested in alternatives to Stake, the market has seen significant growth in recent years. Numerous online casinos and sportsbooks have received iGaming Ontario licenses and provide a wide range of services, including secure payment options, diverse game libraries, and robust customer support. Key factors to consider when selecting an alternative to Stake include the presence of valid licenses, data encryption for security, and a variety of games from established developers such as Pragmatic Play and Evolution [2].

The potential future legal status of Stake in Ontario remains uncertain. While the company’s proactive approach—such as hiring local management and announcing the development of Stake.ca—indicates a strong interest in entering the market, regulatory approval is still pending. Players are advised to monitor updates from both Stake and iGaming Ontario, as the regulatory landscape for online gambling continues to evolve in Canada [2].

Source:

[1] Stake - Real Money Casino on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/uy/app/stake-real-money-casino/id6503213684)

[2] Is Stake Legal In Ontario? Stake Ontario Review 2025 (https://www.strafe.com/esports-betting/reviews/stake/ontario/)