Stake is one of the biggest and most reputable sportsbook and online casino operators in the world, but is Stake Ontario available? The casino has offerings to players in the United States and around the world as Stake is legal across a number of jurisdictions. This is done through the Stake.com and Stake.us platforms.
The big question for Canadian players is whether Stake is legal in their country. Stake even has a strong partnership with the Six God Drake. In this guide, we will learn about its legality in both Ontario and Canada as a whole. On top of that, we will know more about the potential launch and what it could mean to Ontario bettors.
Is Stake Casino legal in Ontario?
Stake Casino is no longer legal in the province of Ontario. As of April 9, 2023, operations officially ceased providing services to players located in the province. This is due to the fact that Stake.com does not have a license with Ontario’s regulatory body, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Stake.com is no longer legal in Ontario as of April 9th, 2023.
That said, there has been a pursuit by Stake to obtain a legal license in the province. It has been announced that Stake.ca will be coming to not only Ontario but the rest of Canada as well. There is an undetermined launch date confirmed by Stake as of now.
Is Stake Casino legal in Canada?
The question of legality for Stake users in Canada is a bit tricky. It has been banned for use in Ontario but is still recognized as a “grey” or “offshore” casino site in other provinces. This means that it is possible for players in other provinces to use Stake.com.
Players in other provinces can still access Stake.com, getting access to some of the best online casino games around. For now, that there has been no indication of a change in legality, though the Ontario domino is an important one to fall.
The Importance of Stake.com for Canada
There can be a bit of confusion when it comes to the Stake website. That’s because there are two domains as of right now: Stake.com and Stake.us. While they may seem like the same thing, there is a major difference between the two.
The .com domain is for players from around the world other than the United States (and Canada eventually). Stake.com also acts as a cryptocurrency wagering site while the .us domain is more sweepstakes based.
This is why Canadian players must use the .com domain. Thankfully, the .com domain is a better product with a full service sportsbook as well as one of the best online casinos. In additon, there are tons of promotions including a stellar Stake monthly bonus program.
Is Stake coming to Ontario?
Stake has officially been announced for Ontario. The website itself has already launched but it is still not determined when players can actually start wagering. The operator themselves has only provided a vague “coming in 2023” as of yet. It will be launching in Ontario under a brandnew Stake.ca domain.
Why is Stake not in Ontario right now?
The reason for the vague date and delayed access to Stake.ca has to do with licensing. Stake is attempting to acquire a license with iGaming Ontario (iGO) and won’t be able to officially launch until that happens. iGaming in Ontario went live on April 4th, 2022, leading to the departure of unlicensed products like Stake.
What is Stake.ca?
Stake.ca will be the Canadian-facing version of the Stake website. As of now, there are two versions – .com and .us – that face different target audiences. The latter is for the United States only while the former is for the rest of the world. Like the .us domain, .ca will face Canada only.
Stake.ca vs Stake.com vs Stake.us
Though the designation after the “Stake” name might not seem like much of a big deal, it certainly is. The tail end of the domain not only indicates where a player needs to be located in order to access the site but some of the features of the site as well.
| Stake.com | Stake.us | Stake.ca |
| Traditional Casino | Sweepstakes Casino | TBD |
| Curacao license | No official license | Licensing in Ontario |
| Uses cryptocurrency and traditional banking methods | Uses Gold Coins, cryptocurrency, and Stake Cash | TBD |
Stake alternatives for Ontario bettors
As bettors in Ontario await the official launch of Stake.ca, there may be the need to scratch that itch. Here are a few of the most prominent alternatives to Stake when it comes to sports betting and casino action in Ontario.
Fliff
Fliff is a legit option that features combination of sports betting and sweepstakes in a social setting. Fliff encourages competition between friends and other users, adding an extra element of drama and action to any wager. Players can also wager free money, providing the same fun without the financial risk.
Prize Picks
Prize Picks is where players can partake in daily fantasy sports. It is very similar to DraftKings and FanDuel in the United States. There are contests where players can build a lineup and compete against others for major prizes including cash, buy-ins to larger contests, and more. Prize Picks strategy can be tough, so make sure to study up before trying on the app.
Underdog Fantasy
Underdog Fantasy is another big name in the Canadian daily fantasy sports realm. They stand out by offering unique fantasy sports features like Daily Drafts, Pick’em, and Best Ball, among others. Drafting takes but a few minutes and players can begin competing against others in all of their favourite sports.
Legal Sportsbooks
Single-game sports betting has become widely available in Canada in 2023. Players in all 10 provinces and three territories now have access to some of the top sports betting sites in the country. Bettors can place wagers not only online but in retail locations as well in their respective provinces or territory. Previously, legal sports betting only included multi-selection wagers (or parlays) but that has changed with recent legislation.
FAQ
Stake has officially announced plans to join the Ontario sports betting and casino market. There has not been an official launch date, however, so no one really knows when it will become available to players in Ontario.
The Stake.ca website has already been launched and the initial expectation was a December 2022 launch. That said, there is only a vague claim of “coming to Ontario in 2023.” There is no definitive launch date as of yet.
This is a complicated answer. Yes, Stake.com does currently work in Canada, though it has stopped serving players in the province of Ontario. This is because it does not have a license from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
Stake has its official headquarters located in Willemstad, Curacao. This is largely due to the fact that Stake has a license issued by Curacao.
Stake Gaming was created by Edward Craven and Bijan Tehrani. They operate out of Australia but are currently registered for gaming through Curacao, a common place for online gambling websites to register.
