Stake is a cryptocurrency-based online casino and sports betting platform operated by Medium Rare NV, holding a Curaçao gaming licence. Launched in 2017 by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, the platform has become a major player in the global online gambling market with a strong presence among Australian users.
Stake Casino has established itself as one of the most prominent cryptocurrency gambling platforms available to Australian players. Since its launch in 2017, the platform has grown to generate over 2.6 billion USD in revenue as of 2022, attracting millions of users worldwide including a substantial Australian player base. The casino's focus on cryptocurrency transactions, combined with its extensive game selection and sports betting options, has positioned it as a leading choice for Australian gamblers seeking modern, digital-first gaming experiences.
For Australian players, Stake offers a unique proposition that differs significantly from traditional online casinos. The platform operates under a Curaçao licence rather than Australian regulatory oversight, which means it functions as an offshore operator serving the Australian market. This regulatory positioning allows Stake to offer features and payment methods that may not be available through locally licensed operators, though players should understand the implications of using offshore platforms.
Stake was founded by Australian entrepreneurs Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, who previously established Easygo, a company specializing in developing games for online casinos. Their experience in the gaming industry informed the creation of Stake, which was designed from the ground up to leverage cryptocurrency technology for online gambling. The platform launched in 2017 during the early cryptocurrency boom, positioning itself at the intersection of two rapidly growing industries.
The casino operates through Medium Rare NV, a company incorporated in Curaçao that holds the necessary licensing to offer online gambling services internationally. Stake maintains a global presence with offices in Serbia, Australia, and Cyprus, employing staff across multiple jurisdictions to support its worldwide operations. This international structure allows the platform to serve diverse markets while maintaining centralized operational control.
In August 2022, Stake expanded its offerings by launching Stake.us, a separate platform designed specifically for United States residents using a sweepstakes model to comply with US regulations. This expansion demonstrated the company's strategy of adapting its core product to meet different regulatory requirements across jurisdictions. However, the main Stake.com platform remains the primary offering for Australian players, providing full casino and sports betting functionality.
Stake offers Australian players access to a comprehensive library of casino games spanning multiple categories. The platform features thousands of slot games from leading providers, including popular titles and exclusive releases. These slots cover various themes, volatility levels, and bonus features, catering to different player preferences and bankroll sizes.
Beyond slots, Stake provides a full suite of traditional table games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker variants. These games are available in both RNG (random number generator) versions and live dealer formats. The live casino section features real-time video streams with professional dealers, creating an immersive experience that replicates the atmosphere of land-based casinos.
The live dealer games are particularly popular among Australian players who appreciate the social interaction and transparency of watching games unfold in real-time. Stake partners with established live casino providers to deliver high-quality streams with multiple camera angles, chat functionality, and various betting limits to accommodate both casual players and high rollers.
One of Stake's distinguishing features is its collection of original games developed in-house. These proprietary titles include Plinko, Dice, Mines, Crash, and other unique offerings that leverage blockchain technology to provide provably fair outcomes. Australian players can verify the fairness of each bet by checking the cryptographic hash values before and after each game round, ensuring complete transparency in the gaming process.
The provably fair system represents a significant advancement over traditional online casino games, where players must trust that the operator's RNG is functioning correctly. With Stake's original games, the mathematical fairness of each outcome can be independently verified, providing an additional layer of trust and security that appeals to cryptocurrency-savvy Australian players.
Stake's sportsbook offers comprehensive coverage of Australian sporting events, making it particularly attractive to local bettors. The platform provides betting markets for Australian Rules Football (AFL), National Rugby League (NRL), cricket including Big Bash League and international matches, horse racing, and other popular Australian sports.
The sports betting interface allows Australian players to place pre-match and live in-play bets across hundreds of markets for each event. Betting options range from simple match winner predictions to complex proposition bets, player performance markets, and multi-leg accumulators. The platform updates odds in real-time, reflecting the latest market movements and providing competitive pricing across all sports.
Beyond Australian sports, Stake offers extensive international coverage including European football leagues, NBA basketball, NFL American football, tennis grand slams, UFC mixed martial arts, and esports competitions. This global sports menu ensures Australian players can bet on major sporting events worldwide, with markets available 24/7 across different time zones.
Stake operates under a Curaçao gaming licence and serves Australian players through its international platform. The casino utilizes cryptocurrency transactions as its primary payment method, allowing Australian users to deposit and withdraw using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other digital currencies. This approach provides faster transaction times and enhanced privacy compared to traditional banking methods.
The platform combines casino gaming with sports betting, offering Australian players access to local sporting events including AFL, NRL, cricket, and horse racing alongside international competitions. Stake employs provably fair technology for its original games, enabling players to verify the fairness of each bet through cryptographic algorithms. The company maintains offices in multiple countries including Australia, with staff supporting operations globally.
Stake's primary distinguishing feature is its focus on cryptocurrency transactions. Australian players can deposit and withdraw using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Tron, Dogecoin, and numerous other digital currencies. This cryptocurrency-first approach offers several advantages over traditional payment methods, including faster transaction processing, lower fees, and enhanced privacy.
Deposits on Stake are typically processed instantly once the blockchain confirms the transaction, allowing Australian players to start gaming within minutes of sending funds. Withdrawals are similarly efficient, with most requests processed within hours rather than the days or weeks often required by traditional online casinos using bank transfers or card payments.
The platform includes built-in conversion functionality, allowing Australian players to switch between different cryptocurrencies without leaving the site. This feature is particularly useful for managing bankrolls across multiple digital assets or taking advantage of favorable exchange rates. Players can hold balances in multiple currencies simultaneously and select their preferred currency for each gaming session.
Stake operates under a Curaçao eGaming licence, which is one of the most common licensing jurisdictions for international online casinos. This licence allows the platform to offer services globally, including to Australian players, without requiring specific Australian regulatory approval. However, Australian players should understand that using offshore casinos like Stake means operating outside the framework of Australian consumer protections and responsible gambling measures enforced by local regulators.
The Australian government has implemented various measures to regulate online gambling, including the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, which prohibits the provision of certain online gambling services to Australian residents by unlicensed operators. However, enforcement primarily targets operators rather than individual players, and many Australians continue to use offshore platforms like Stake without legal consequences.
Despite operating offshore, Stake provides various responsible gambling tools including deposit limits, loss limits, session time reminders, and self-exclusion options. Australian players can access these features through their account settings to help manage their gambling activity and maintain control over their spending. The platform also provides links to gambling support organizations, though these are primarily international resources rather than Australian-specific services.
Stake implements multiple security measures to protect Australian players' accounts and funds. The platform uses two-factor authentication (2FA) requiring users to enter a code from their mobile device in addition to their password when logging in. This additional security layer significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized account access.
All cryptocurrency transactions are processed through blockchain networks, providing inherent security through cryptographic verification. Stake stores the majority of player funds in cold wallets (offline storage) rather than hot wallets connected to the internet, minimizing exposure to potential hacking attempts. This security approach was highlighted in September 2023 when Stake experienced a security breach resulting in the theft of over 41 million USD from one of its Ethereum hot wallets, an incident attributed to North Korea's Lazarus Group by the FBI. Following this incident, the platform enhanced its security protocols and compensated affected users.
Stake offers various promotional incentives for Australian players, including welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, and ongoing promotions. The platform's VIP program rewards regular players with increased rakeback percentages, exclusive bonuses, and personalized account management. The rakeback system returns a percentage of the house edge to players based on their wagering volume, providing ongoing value for active users.
Promotional terms and conditions vary by offer, and Australian players should carefully review wagering requirements, eligible games, and time limits before claiming bonuses. Stake's cryptocurrency focus means bonuses are typically credited in the player's chosen digital currency, with wagering requirements calculated based on the cryptocurrency value rather than fiat currency equivalents.
Stake provides a fully optimized mobile experience for Australian players through its responsive website, which adapts seamlessly to smartphones and tablets. The mobile platform offers access to the complete game library, sports betting markets, account management features, and customer support without requiring a dedicated app download.
In December 2024, Stake became the first online casino to release an application for Apple Vision Pro, demonstrating the company's commitment to emerging technologies and innovative gaming experiences. While this application targets a niche market of early adopters, it signals Stake's willingness to explore new platforms and delivery methods for its gaming content.
Stake operates 24/7 customer support accessible through live chat directly on the platform. Australian players can receive assistance at any time, with support staff available to address account questions, technical issues, payment inquiries, and general platform navigation. The live chat system typically provides responses within minutes, offering efficient resolution for most common issues.
The platform also maintains a comprehensive help center with articles covering account setup, cryptocurrency transactions, game rules, and responsible gambling information. This self-service resource allows Australian players to find answers to frequently asked questions without needing to contact support directly.
Stake Casino represents a modern, cryptocurrency-focused gambling platform that has attracted a significant Australian player base through its extensive game selection, comprehensive sports betting options, and efficient digital currency transactions. The platform's provably fair technology, competitive odds, and user-friendly interface make it an appealing option for Australian players comfortable with cryptocurrency usage and offshore gambling platforms.
However, Australian players should carefully consider the regulatory implications of using offshore casinos and ensure they understand the differences between licensed Australian operators and international platforms like Stake. While the casino offers numerous advantages including faster payments and broader game selection, it operates outside Australian regulatory oversight and the consumer protections that local licensing provides. Responsible gambling practices, secure account management, and informed decision-making remain essential for Australian players choosing to use Stake or any offshore gambling platform.
Stake operates under a Curaçao licence and is available to Australian players as an offshore platform. While Australian law restricts unlicensed operators from advertising to Australians, individual players are not typically prosecuted for using offshore casinos. Players should understand they are using a platform outside Australian regulatory oversight.
Stake supports multiple cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, Tron, Dogecoin, and many others. Australian players can deposit, withdraw, and play using any of these digital currencies, with instant conversion available between different cryptocurrencies on the platform.
Cryptocurrency withdrawals on Stake are typically processed within hours, significantly faster than traditional online casinos using bank transfers. Once Stake processes the withdrawal, the funds are sent to your cryptocurrency wallet, with final receipt depending on blockchain confirmation times for your chosen currency.
Yes, Stake provides comprehensive sports betting coverage for Australian sports including AFL, NRL, cricket, horse racing, and other local competitions. The sportsbook offers pre-match and live betting markets with competitive odds across all major Australian sporting events.
Provably fair gaming uses cryptographic technology to allow players to verify that game outcomes are random and not manipulated. Stake's original games provide hash values before and after each bet, enabling players to independently confirm the fairness of results through mathematical verification.
Yes, Stake offers a fully responsive mobile website that works seamlessly on smartphones and tablets. Australian players can access the complete game library, sports betting markets, and account features through their mobile browser without downloading a separate app.
Stake partners with leading gaming providers and technology companies to deliver premium entertainment experiences.
Explore Stake's exclusive collection of original games featuring provably fair technology. These in-house developed titles offer transparent, verifiable outcomes using blockchain technology.
Immerse yourself in authentic casino action with Stake's live dealer games. Professional dealers host real-time blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker games streamed in high definition.
Stake announced closure of its UK operations and surrender of its UK gambling licence following complaints about advertising content, with services ceasing on March 11, 2025.
Stake became the first online casino to release an application for Apple Vision Pro, pioneering casino gaming experiences on the spatial computing platform.
Following a 41 million USD security breach attributed to North Korea's Lazarus Group, Stake implemented enhanced security protocols and compensated all affected users.