Yes, Stake is legal in Canada. No, Stake is not legal in the province of Ontario. 

The government does not impose a federal ban on online gambling. Players with a residence outside of Ontario can legally use foreign-licensed gaming sites, including Stake. Users have full access to the gambling platform, enabling them to make deposits, play games, and cash out winnings tax-free.

Quick Overview: Stake Casino Legality, Canada, 2025

Region	Legal Status	Licensing Requirement
Canada (except Ontario)	Legal	Offshore licenses accepted
Ontario	Illegal	Requires AGCO + iGaming Ontario registration

Currently, Stake has not received an AGCO license. This means that the platform is illegal for residents living within the borders of Ontario. Canada’s separate gambling regulations mean that a player’s location is of utmost importance when accessing crypto casinos. If you live in British Columbia, Alberta, or Quebec, you’re free to go. Ontario residency? You’re restricted.

Below is a brief summary of all points above.

Key takeaway

Canada allows online gambling at the federal level, but Ontario has separate licensing rules for local brands. If a casino, such as Stake, lacks AGCO approval, it cannot operate legally in the province.

Gambling Laws in Canada: How It Works

Let’s consider the legal basis for why Stake is banned in Ontario. Here, we need to explore how gambling laws are structured in Canada and, more importantly, how federal and provincial responsibilities are divided.

Provincial legislation, not federal laws, regulates all aspects of gambling in Canada. Regulations may vary depending on the player’s location. The federal Criminal Code of Canada defines the types of gambling entertainment permitted. Meanwhile, each territory has the authority to regulate and license online casinos within its borders.

SatoshiGamblers team found out that each province decides:

• Which operators can offer online or land-based gambling
• What types of games are permitted
• How a casino manages player protection measures

Most Canadian territories consider online casinos and gambling legal. This applies to local and offshore gaming sites. The province of Ontario has established its framework (iGaming Ontario) under its authority and restricts access to the local market for unlicensed crypto casinos.

Major Gambling Laws in Canada

Law / Regulation	Description
Criminal Code of Canada (Section 207)	Defines legal gambling; delegates control to the province
Provincial Gaming Authorities (e.g., AGCO)	Regulate, license, and oversee operators in each province
iGaming Ontario Framework (since 2022)	An Ontario-specific model requiring local registration for online platforms

Now, let’s make a small summary to catch the ideas mentioned in the section.

Key takeaway

Canada’s gambling system is decentralized, following federal law, while each province sets its own licensing and enforcement rules. This approach directly impacts whether casinos like Stake can operate locally.

There’s one more vital point to keep in mind, namely the difference between the act of operating a gambling platform and accessing one. That’ll shed some light on whether offshore casinos like Stake are allowed.

How Does Canada Define “Operating” vs “Access” in Online Gambling?

Canadian legislation provides a clear answer to the differences between two fundamental concepts: the “operation” of a casino and players’ “access” to the platforms. 

“Operating” Means

• Hosting servers or infrastructure inside a province.
• Marketing or targeting residents directly.
• Accepting bets as a licensed domestic provider.

In this case, a casino needs a permit from the provincial gaming authority. For example, in Ontario, only platforms approved by iGaming Ontario and AGCO may operate legally.

“Access” Means

• A user from a province visits an offshore site.
• No local servers or targeted advertising.
• No direct licensing relationship with the province.

Individual access to offshore gaming platforms will not have consequences for the average person. If a site operates within the jurisdiction and its authorization complies with local regulations, access remains open to players.

Looks like it’s a good time to summarise the things we explored in the section.

Key takeaway

The provincial regulator oversees and regulates all online casinos operating within its jurisdiction. User access to offshore platforms, including Stake, is legal in most Canadian provinces.

Ontario’s gambling laws differ sharply from the rest of Canada. Let’s review the key points worth remembering.

Gambling, Ontario, Legal or Not

Yes, gambling is legal in the province of Ontario. This applies exclusively to online casinos that have obtained a local license. The laws of the province differ from the rest of Canada.

The local gambling market is supervised and regulated by two bodies, namely the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and iGaming Ontario (iGO). These structures ensure that all online gambling sites meet strict local licensing and compliance standards.

To Operate Legally in Ontario, Crypto Casinos Must

• Be registered with AGCO.
• Sign an agreement with iGaming Ontario.
• Follow local rules for player protection, fairness, and responsible gaming.

Stake is an offshore gaming site that operates without registration in the AGCO and lacks the necessary legal status to operate in Ontario. Even if players use VPN tools or mirrors, Stake.com is required to restrict local users from accessing its gaming websites.

Key Gambling Laws and Bodies in Ontario

Authority / Framework	Role and Description
AGCO	Regulates all gaming activities in the province
iGaming Ontario (iGO)	Operates and manages the legal online gambling market
Ontario’s iGaming Market	Launched in April 2022 to create a safe, licensed digital gambling environment

Let’s consider all stated facts and law norms in a quick summary. 

Key takeaway:

AGCO authorization is the only type of permit that allows providers to offer services in Ontario. Stake does not have a proper license and is banned as an unlicensed online casino.

Stake Legal

As of June 2025, Stake has a valid permit (OGL/2024/1451/0918). It was issued to Medium Rare N.V. (Stake’s operating company) by the Curacao Gaming Control Board. The permit gives online casinos legal grounds to offer online gambling services in over 150 countries of the world open to offshore operators.

Although Ontario has its licensing framework, the international casino brand is permitted to operate under globally recognized licenses. Let’s explore the Stake’s international legal status in detail.

Stake Licensing Summary

Information:	Key details:
Issuing Authority	Curaçao Gaming Control Board (under the Government of Curaçao).
Holder of License	Medium Rare N.V. – a registered business entity in Curaçao.
Certification Reference	OGL/2024/1451/0918
Activation Date	July 9, 2025
Global Access Scope	Permitted in over 150 countries that accept offshore-licensed casinos.
Excluded Jurisdictions	Prohibited in 38 countries, including Ontario, the UK, the USA, and the Netherlands.

It’s time to draw a line for the section with a clear summary.

Key takeaway

Federal Canadian legislation permits offshore crypto casinos with currency licenses issued by international authorities. Each province has its governing body framework and can apply local laws that are paramount. Players in most Canadian provinces can legally access Stake, except for the province of Ontario, which has its own rules and licensing system.

Countries Where Stake Is and Isn’t Legal

Stake’s certification from the Curacao Gaming Control Board (GCB) grants the casino the legal right to operate internationally in over 150 countries. The exceptions are the 37 jurisdictions that require local licenses, such as Ontario and Canada.

The gambling provider’s operations in such regions are illegal, although users can access the platform via VPN (Virtual Private Network) or other tech means (proxy servers, smart DNS, shadowsocks, etc). 

Regions of Legal Access for the Offshore Casino:

• All Canadian provinces except Ontario.
• Large parts of Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
• Crypto-friendly jurisdictions accepting Curacao licenses.

The Platform Is Restricted or Illegal Regions:

• Ontario (Canada)
• USA
• UK
• Germany
• Spain
• Australia
• Netherlands
• Sweden
• France
• Others with local licensing laws

Let’s bring closure to the info we discovered in this section.

Key takeaway

Officially, Stake.com casino is licensed by the Curacao oversight agency and is legal in over 150 countries. Stake is limited in over 37 jurisdictions, including the province of Ontario, Canada, due to the strict local licensing rules.

Now we know that the online gaming site is internationally recognized. Let’s go back to Canada and see how Canada’s provincial rules affect its legal status.

Is Stake Legal in Canada?

Yes, Canadians (outside Ontario) can use Stake without legal concerns. The casino has no ban in place, as it complies with the country’s federal laws regarding online gambling. According to the Criminal Code of Canada, each province regulates crypto casinos independently.

Canadians have full access to licensed offshore operators, including Stake. As of July 2025, the platform does not have land-based offices or servers in Canada. The brand does not run advertising campaigns in provinces with strict regulatory policies, including Ontario.

Canada Provinces Where Stake Is Permitted:

• British Columbia
• Alberta
• Saskatchewan
• Manitoba
• Quebec
• Atlantic provinces (NS, NB, PEI, NL)

Relevant Laws Allowing Stake to Operate Legally in Canada

Law / Regulation	Description	Official Source
Criminal Code Section 204(1)	Exempts private bets and bets via licensed foreign operators.	Criminal Code of Canada
Criminal Code Sections 206-209	Defines illegal gambling and cheating, but allows licensed offshore betting.	Criminal Code of Canada
British Columbia Gaming Control	Governs BCLC’s operations; no ban on access to offshore sites.	BC Gaming Control
Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis	Regulates Alberta’s gambling market – no restriction on offshore use.	AGLC Alberta

Let’s summarize it, before moving to another section on the platform’s authorisation to run in Ontario.

Key takeaway

Stake.com is authorized in most Canadian provinces due to the lack of federal restrictions. Ontario is the only province that restricts Stake since the gaming platform is not a registered operator and does not have a local license.

Is Stake Legal in Ontario?

No. Ontario residents are blocked from using Stake due to licensing rules. Local gambling policy explicitly prohibits the operation of unlicensed casinos. The local regulator requires all online gaming websites to be officially licensed and approved at the regional level. Stake Casino has not applied to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and does not comply with iGaming Ontario (iGO) regulations.

Why Stake Is Considered Illegal in Ontario

• Not registered with iGaming Ontario
• Not licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
• No technical certification under Ontario’s compliance standards
• Not listed on the official registry of approved iGaming sites
• No commercial agreement was signed with iGO
• Subject to enforcement via geo-blocking and provincial oversight

Ontario launched a regulated offshore gambling market in April 2022. Since then, local legislation has required all online casinos to comply with provincial standards and enter into legal agreements.

That being said, let’s summarize the facts we discovered.

Key takeaway

The site is restricted in Ontario because the provider didn’t follow iGaming Ontario (iGO) policies or meet the province’s compliance standards.

Other Crypto Casinos Approved in Canada

International licenses give offshore casinos the right to operate in Canada. This applies to gaming platforms that have received permission in the Curacao and Anjouan jurisdictions.

SatoshiGamblers has reviewed over 150 crypto casinos and rated them using a 360° scoring system. We selected the top ten, taking into account legality, reputation, user reviews, gaming libraries, and other relevant factors. See the best and legally approved casinos operating in all provinces of Canada except Ontario.

Crypto Casino	Certification Authority	Canada Compliance Status (except Ontario)	SatoshiGamblers Rating
Claps	Anjouan (Commission for Gaming)	Authorized across Canada	9.3 / 10
Stake	Curaçao eGaming	Licensed for all Canadian provinces	9.1 / 10
Wild.io	Curaçao eGaming	Approved in Canada	9.0 / 10
Bitcasino	Curaçao eGaming	Operates legally across Canada	8.8 / 10
Cloudbet	Curaçao eGaming	Authorized for Canadian players	8.6 / 10
BC.Game	Curaçao Interactive Licensing NV	Fully licensed in Canada	8.4 / 10
TG.Casino	Curaçao eGaming	Legal throughout Canada	8.1 / 10
mBit Casino	Curaçao eGaming	Legal nationwide	7.9 / 10
Winz.io	Curaçao eGaming	Recognized in all Canadian provinces	7.8 / 10
Lucky Block	Curaçao Gaming Control Board	Approved	7.8 / 10

The expert-level rating aims to help you find reputable and authorized blockchain casinos in Canada. Now let’s summarize what we’ve found out.

Key takeaway

International gaming platforms can legally operate in Canada, except Ontario, where local license rules apply. SatoshiGamblers reviewed over 150 blockchain gambling sites using our in-house rating system. All reviews are unbiased and rely on over 30 core indicators. As of June 2025, Claps is the #1 crypto casino in Canada. It operates legally, has strong support, and has a valid license issued by the Anjouan regulator.