Is Stake Legit? Who Owns It, Licence and Payouts (2026)
2026-10-03 · 6 min read · Crypto Casinos
Stake is the biggest crypto casino in the world by traffic and on-chain deposits, so "is Stake legit?" is one of the most common questions new players ask. Here's what's publicly known, and what you should still check yourself.
Who owns Stake?
Stake.com is operated by Medium Rare N.V., a company registered in Curaçao, where it holds an online casino licence. It was co-founded in 2017 by Australians Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, who also run Easygo (the studio behind Stake's originals) and co-founded the streaming platform Kick. Ed Craven posts publicly on X as @StakeEddie. See who owns each gambling site for the full list.
Does Stake pay out?
Stake's track record on withdrawals is one of the strongest in crypto gambling. On-chain data shows billions of dollars a year moving through its deposit wallets, which only happens when players trust a site to pay. Crypto withdrawals are usually processed within minutes once your account is verified.
That said, its Trustpilot score is mixed. Most complaints are about account checks (KYC) on large wins, bonus terms, and country restrictions, not about the site refusing to pay verified players.
The 2023 hack
In September 2023, Stake's hot wallets were drained of roughly $41 million in an exploit later attributed by the FBI to North Korea's Lazarus Group. Stake reopened withdrawals within hours and player balances weren't affected. It's a reminder that even large sites carry risk, so don't leave more on any casino than you need.
Where can you play?
Stake.com blocks several countries, including the US, UK and Australia. US players get Stake.us, a separate sweepstakes site. Never use a VPN to get around a block. It breaks the terms, and a site can refuse to pay out winnings.
Checklist before you deposit
- Confirm Stake is allowed where you live. - Turn on two-factor authentication. - Do a small test withdrawal before playing big. - Expect identity checks on large withdrawals.
Our verdict
Stake is a legitimate, licensed operator with a long payout record and publicly known founders. It's #1 in our crypto casino rankings. Read the full Stake review, or compare it: Stake vs Duel, sites like Stake.
