Guide July 9, 2026 7 min Read time

Which Countries Is Stake Available In? License, Restrictions & KYC (2026)

Stake operates under a Curaçao license across much of the world — but not everywhere. We explain which regions are restricted, how KYC verification works and what legally matters for you as a player.

The most common question before signing up: am I even allowed to play on Stake? The answer depends on where you live. This guide summarizes the state of play as of July 2026 — without replacing legal advice: always check the laws of your country.

The License Foundation

Stake is operated by Medium Rare N.V. and regulated under a Curaçao license. This license permits operation in many countries worldwide — wherever online gambling isn't explicitly prohibited or nationally regulated otherwise. Stake additionally runs locally licensed spin-offs, e.g. Stake.us (a sweepstakes model for the USA) and locally licensed platforms in select markets.

Typically Restricted Regions

Markets restricted on Stake.com include (as of July 2026, no guarantee): the USA (Stake.us only), United Kingdom, Netherlands, France, Australia and other countries with strict national licensing systems. Curaçao itself and several sanctioned states are on the list too. The complete, current list lives in Stake's terms — it shifts with regulation.

KYC: What Stake Requires and When

Level 1 (email, name, date of birth, address): enough to deposit and play
Level 2 (ID document): required for larger withdrawals or flagged activity
Level 3/4 (proof of address, source of funds): only at high volumes or upon request
Verification usually takes seconds to a few hours

VPN & Stake: The Honest Assessment

Fact: Stake's terms prohibit circumventing geo-blocks, and during KYC checks a residence in a restricted country can become a problem — including frozen winnings. Also fact: many players use VPNs primarily for privacy and security on public Wi-Fi. Our hide.me guide explains how to set up a VPN and what matters technically — the decision and responsibility are yours.

Is Stake legal in the US?

Stake.com does not accept US players. Stake.us is the separate, legal sweepstakes model for the American market with its own coin system.

What license does Stake hold?

Stake.com is operated by Medium Rare N.V. under Curaçao regulation, plus locally licensed platforms in select markets.

Do I have to verify on Stake?

Level 1 details (name, date of birth, address) are enough to start. An ID document is required at the latest for larger withdrawals.

Can Stake ban my account because of my country?

Yes — playing from a restricted region risks account closure and forfeited winnings under the terms, typically surfacing during a KYC check.