Stake is a popular site for crypto gambling and sports betting. Its legal status in Canada is a little confusing, as Stake does not have an official license to operate anywhere in any Canadian province.
Stake operates offshore in Canada, everywhere except Ontario, where it is blocked. So if you’re in Canada and not in Ontario, you can access Stake and play the available novelties, and even use Canadian dollars to make payments on the platform itself.
This article will clear up everything about Stake’s legal status in Canada, the payment methods Stake provides, and even alternatives to Stake that are fully licensed in select Canadian provinces.
Let’s learn everything about using Stake safely in Canada.
Is Stake Legal In Canada?
You can use Stake in Canada everywhere, but not if you’re in Ontario. The site is completely blocked there because Stake doesn’t have the proper license from iGaming Ontario. They’ve put up geo-blocks that stop Ontario citizens from accessing the website.
But if you’re in any other province, you can still access and play Stake. It’s not licensed or regulated by any local government in Canada, but it operates offshore, so there is no block.
Why Is Stake Restricted In Ontario?
Stake operates on a Curaçao license, which is not recognized in Ontario. The province wants all gambling sites to get a special license through iGaming Ontario. Since Stake doesn’t have one, they blocked the whole site.
Canadian Online Gambling Laws Explained
Every province in Canada has its own gaming licenses. Ontario is stricter with its rules – it only allows sites with proper licenses and blocks everything else. That’s why you can’t get to Stake from there.
Other provinces are way more relaxed. They run their own government gambling sites but don’t really care if you want to gamble elsewhere. So offshore sites like Stake work fine.
How To Register And Play On Stake In Canada
Registering and playing on Stake in Canada is pretty simple and straightforward as long as you’re outside of Ontario. Follow these steps to start your journey.
Step 1: Go to Stake.com and click the ‘Register’ button
Step 2: Put in your email, pick a strong password, and fill out your basic info.
Step 3: Agree to the terms and conditions after reading them well.
Step 4: Verify your email with the code they send you via email.
Step 5: Click on ‘Setup Wallet’ to start with transactions.
Step 6: Fill out your Name, country, and address.
Step 7: Enable ‘Canadian Dollar’ if you prefer that over crypto and fill out your phone number.
Step 8: Upload a photo of your ID to prove who you are (they’re pretty strict about this).
Step 9: Your wallet is now set up and ready to use. Make your first deposit and start playing
Please note that you must be 18 years or older to register and play on Stake, and ensure that all your details are accurate. They’ll check everything before letting you withdraw money later.
Payment Methods Accepted At Stake Canada
Stake makes it really easy for Canadians to deposit and play. You can use regular Canadian dollars or direct cryptocurrency if you have that available. Here is a list of all the payment methods available for Stake Canada, including all cryptocurrencies.
| CAD | BTC | ETH |
| LTC | USDT | SOL |
| DOGE | BCH | XRP |
| TRX | EOS | BNB |
| USDC | APE | BUSD |
| CRO | DAI | LINK |
| SAND | SHIB | UNI |
| POL | TRUMP |
Once you are done setting up your wallet through your ID verification, depositing and withdrawing are really easy. You also need to set up 2FA verification for extra safety.
Deposit in CAD, and your money stays in Canadian dollars in your account. Cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals have faster deposits (usually minutes). You can only withdraw using the same method you used to deposit.
Alternatives To Stake Casino In Canada (2025)
Since Stake isn’t available everywhere and comes with risks when it is available, you might want to consider these safer alternatives that offer better protection and customer service.
This quick table gives you safe and legal alternatives to Stake by Canadian province.
| No. | Casino Name | Where It’s Legal | Game Types | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BetMGM | Ontario only | Casino, Poker, Sports | Global brand, big promotions, mobile app |
| 2 | NorthStar Bets | Ontario only | Casino, Sportsbook | Canadian-owned, NHL sponsorships |
| 3 | PlayNow | BC, MB, SK | Casino, Sportsbook | Government-run, secure payments |
| 4 | EspaceJeux | Quebec only | Casino, Poker, Lottery | Loto-Québec, bilingual support |
| 5 | PlayAlberta | Alberta only | Casino, Sportsbook | Official provincial site, jackpots |
BetMGM and NorthStar Bets are licensed in Ontario with strong apps and promotions. PlayNow serves multiple provinces with government backing and trusted payments.
EspaceJeux gives Quebec players local support in English and French. PlayAlberta focuses on responsible gambling and jackpot slots.
Together, these sites show that while Stake is only licensed in Ontario, other provinces provide safe and regulated platforms for local players. Each alternative comes with proper security and protection that is often missing on offshore websites.
Is It Possible To Use A VPN For Stake In Canada?
Since Stake is accessible in Canada while operating offshore, you don’t need to use a VPN. But if you’re in Ontario and wondering the same, you might want to reconsider your options and choose a safer and more legal alternative.
By playing on a blocked site in Ontario, you risk breaking the law and losing your money, which is not worth it when you have other licensed options.
Also Read:
Conclusion: Stake Is Legal In Canada Except Ontario
Bottom line is, you can access and play on Stake everywhere in Canada except Ontario because of the lack of an iGaming license that is required to run in Ontario. Stake still does not have a legal license anywhere in Canada, but it is also not blocked like in Ontario.
If you’re in Ontario, use the legal sites. If you’re somewhere else, you’ve got choices – stick with government-run sites for safety, or take your chances with offshore ones like Stake.
Remember to gamble responsibly, regardless of your choice. Set limits, don’t chase losses, and never bet money you can’t afford to lose.
Start playing and betting legally and safely today!
FAQs
As of yet, Stake does not sponsor any sports teams or athletes in Canada.
Canadian players can set deposit limits, loss limits, wager limits, and session time limits directly on Stake to manage their gambling independently. These tools are self-administered by the player and enforced by Stake.
If you are a professional gambler (who gambles for a living), winnings are considered taxable business income and must be declared. But otherwise, Canada does not tax most gambling wins, and crypto is not taxed either.
Withdrawals done via crypto are usually very quick – up to a few minutes, but different methods have different timelines. For example, Inerac can take up to 3 days.
Banks don’t handle crypto directly, so they can’t really stop those transactions. They might question weird credit card activity, though.
