In just a few short years, Stake has become one of the most recognisable names in online gambling, driven by bold sponsorship deals, high-visibility streamer campaigns, and the rapid growth of cryptocurrency betting worldwide.
From humble beginnings in 2017 to signing major sports partnerships and building a global player base, the platform’s expansion has been remarkable. Yet, despite its success, Stake’s flagship casino — particularly its Crypto-centric model — remains unavailable to players in the United Kingdom, locked out by one of the strictest gambling regulators in the world.
The story of Stake’s ascent and its UK stand-off underlines how fast-growing sectors like crypto gambling are testing the limits of existing regulatory frameworks, and why some governments are taking a cautious approach.
From niche crypto platform to global gambling powerhouse
Stake was launched in 2017 by Australian entrepreneurs Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani under the banner of Easygo Solutions. It quickly developed a reputation as a crypto-friendly alternative to traditional online casinos, allowing players to stake digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum and others for casino games and sports betting.
The platform’s appeal was turbocharged by shrewd marketing — including partnerships with high-profile streamers and sports teams — and a deep integration with the burgeoning crypto community. Production of proprietary games and stylish, easily sharable content helped build a vibrant online following.
Stake’s own game offerings, often branded as Play Stake Original Games, blend familiar gambling mechanics with crypto aesthetics and provably fair features, attracting players who want something that feels distinct from the classic slot-machine norm.
One standout example is Stake’s take on the classic pricing-game concept — an online version of Plinko that became widely discussed in gambling circles. The Stake official Plinko title, described as part of the platform’s innovation in online casino games, illustrates how technology and design have helped define Stake’s identity. Play Stake Originals Plinko is another popular branding for this flagship game.
Such innovations, along with fast payouts and low-friction onboarding for International users, have helped Stake become one of the biggest names in what is now a multi-billion-dollar global crypto gambling market.
Why the UK remains off limits
Despite Stake’s worldwide footprint, the UK remains a notable exception. In early 2025, Stake ceased operations for UK customers after regulatory pressure from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The company voluntarily surrendered its UK license following sustained scrutiny — including concerns over certain social media advertising and compliance failures.
The UKGC, one of the most robust gambling regulators globally, maintains strict standards designed to protect consumers. These include stringent rules on responsible gambling, anti-money-laundering controls, transparency, and fairness.
Stake’s global casino operates under a licence from the Curaçao Gaming Authority, a jurisdiction with far lighter regulatory demands compared with the UKGC. Curaçao licensing is common in the crypto gambling world because it allows operators like Stake to offer a wide range of games and payment methods with relatively fewer restrictions.
For the UK’s regulator, however, that’s not enough.
The UKGC’s framework requires operators to demonstrate strong player protections, robust anti-money-laundering systems, and adherence to responsible gambling standards that many crypto-centric platforms struggle to meet or choose not to prioritise.
In Stake’s case, these issues culminated in the platform’s UK withdrawal — meaning British players can no longer legally access the global Stake casino, sports book or crypto betting services.
Regulatory caution in a shifting landscape
The UK’s stance reflects broader unease among regulators about unlicensed crypto gambling sites and the risks they pose to consumers. Recent government proposals aim to restrict unlicensed gambling companies — including offshore crypto casinos — from sponsoring major sports teams, highlighting concerns that fans might be inadvertently directed to sites without adequate oversight.
This scrutiny stems from several factors. Crypto gambling services often operate in “grey zone” regulatory environments where licensing standards vary widely and where provably fair or algorithm-based systems have not always been scrutinised to the same degree as traditional random number generators. Critics argue this can reduce transparency and increase harm for players without the protections seen in regulated markets.
At the same time, there’s political pressure in the UK to clamp down on aggressive marketing and celebrity endorsements tied to gambling, especially where those promotions overlap with vulnerable audiences.
Demand vs. protection: the UK paradox
Despite the ban on Stake’s main platform, many UK players remain eager for access to crypto gambling. Some seek out international versions using VPNs or look for alternative sites that accept British users — a trend seen across other sectors where regulation lags behind technological shifts.
At the same time, licensed operators inside the UK market are catering to demand through products tailored to UK standards. These sites cannot offer the same crypto staking experience that makes Stake’s casino unique, but they are allowed to operate under stringent safeguards that regulators believe better protect players.
For now, the situation remains a balancing act: UK authorities prioritising consumer protection and regulatory compliance, and international operators pushing boundaries in a rapidly evolving digital gambling world.