Stake Ontario - Coming to Ontario in 2026?

Last updated: 27 September 2026

Stake hasn’t launched in Ontario, as it still needs registration from the AGCO and an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario (iGO).

Stake.ca advertises a planned 2026 arrival, but no exact launch date has been announced.

Latest development (September 2026): Stake Canada general manager Kris Abbott says the Ontario platform received GLI testing certification and was submitted to the AGCO in summer 2026, and that he expects to hear from Ontario soon.

Note: Stake will not accept cryptocurrencies in Ontario.

Latest News

✅ Status Update: September 2026

Stake cleared its first Canadian regulatory step on 24 September 2026, though not in Ontario. Stake Canada Ltd. received iGaming operator registration from Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC).

Registration does not by itself let Stake accept bets. A commercial agreement with the Alberta iGaming Corporation (AiGC), the Crown corporation on the business side of the market, is what permits an operator to take wagers from Alberta residents. Abbott also refers to licensing as outstanding; that is his wording rather than a stage AGLC publishes under that name. Stake Canada's general manager Kris Abbott said the company is "a registered operator as of today" and expects "licensing and an operating agreement are not too far behind."

AGLC set 13 October 2026 as the end of a transition window it granted case by case, at its discretion. We have not confirmed that any extension applies to Stake.

What This Means for Ontario

Alberta registration does not authorize Stake to operate in Ontario. The regulators are separate, and we have not verified any effect on Ontario’s approval timetable.

Abbott did address Ontario directly, in a comment on LinkedIn:

"In fairness, our platform needed time for development for both jurisdictions. We had the AGCO waiting on us for a while, too. Both were GLI-certified and submitted to the respective regulators around the same time earlier this summer. We expect to hear from our friends in Ontario soon and are anxious to ramp up in Alberta asap."

Abbott gives platform development as a contributing factor in the delay. GLI certification means Gaming Laboratories International tested the platform against the technical standards for that jurisdiction. It is not permission to launch: Stake still needs AGCO registration and an operating agreement with iGaming Ontario before it can accept a single bet in the province. Abbott gave no date. The certification reports are not published, so their scope and whether they cover every system the AGCO requires cannot be independently confirmed.

Alberta Registration Details

• Entity: Stake Canada Ltd.
• Regulator: Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC)
• Status Granted: iGaming operator registration
• Date: 24 September 2026
• Still Outstanding: AiGC operating agreement; Abbott also cites licensing

✅ Status Update: April 2026

The launch of Stake Ontario is now backed by more than just rumors. Following a period of inactivity, Stake.ca was recently updated to announce a 2026 arrival.

Adding weight to this expansion, the brand's parent company, Easygo Group Holdings Pty Ltd, officially secured a Canadian trademark for "STAKE PLAY SMARTER" early this year. This legal filing serves as a "paper trail" confirming that the administrative group is actively protecting its intellectual property ahead of a regulated launch.

Trademark Details

• Filing Name: STAKE PLAY SMARTER
• Registration Date: 2026-01-02
• Application No: 2222231
• Registration No: TMA1373264

Why Is Ontario So Strict on Gambling?

Ontario was the first province to open online gambling to private operators, in April 2022, and Alberta followed in July 2026. Elsewhere in Canada, legal online play runs through provincial corporations such as BCLC in British Columbia and Loto-Québec, alongside offshore sites that operate without provincial oversight. Opening to private operators is why Ontario built a detailed registration and compliance regime.

That protection came at a cost for existing players. When Ontario regulated the market, Stake.com had to cut them off, as you can see here. Forum member "Hypeko" says:

"All players bet with stake because it was special unlike any other online casino out there. The vip level bonuses are what set stake from other sites apart. To take away that away from players and make them start over with such short notice is obsurd. It’s not okay!!!"

Detailed Regulatory Framework

According to the AGCO's Internet Gaming Operator Application Guide, operators must undergo a comprehensive application process. This includes entity disclosure, detailed documentation, and continuous compliance checks to maintain their registration.

Comparison with Other Provinces

Ontario enforces more rigorous standards than other Canadian provinces, many of which allow "grey market" operators to function with less oversight. These provinces may not have the same level of consumer protection, which Ontario aims to address through its stringent regulatory measures.

Commitment to Integrity

The AGCO’s framework not only focuses on consumer protection but also on maintaining the integrity of the gaming industry. This includes measures to prevent money laundering, ensure the fairness of games, and safeguard vulnerable populations from gambling-related harms.

How Operators Get Approved in Ontario

iGaming Ontario publishes the steps an operator must complete: seven with the AGCO and seven with iGO. They can be worked on at the same time, and iGO notes that the order varies with each operator’s circumstances.

The seven AGCO steps

1. Ensure games and critical gaming systems are certified by a registered Independent Testing Laboratory (ITL)
2. Register with the AGCO
3. Implement control activities to comply with AGCO requirements
4. Participate in Internet Gaming Notification Matrix training
5. Set up regulatory reporting in iAGCO
6. Set up access to the AGCO’s secure data and communication channels
7. Provide technology compliance confirmation to the AGCO

The seven iGaming Ontario steps

1. Execute a non-disclosure agreement with iGO
2. Execute a letter of agreement with iGO
3. Set up access to iGO’s secure data and communication channels
4. Complete iGO’s anti-money laundering submissions
5. Complete iGO’s financial information submissions
6. Participate in the operator systems and data readiness cycle
7. Execute the operating agreement with iGO

Where Stake appears to be

The first AGCO step is independent testing certification, which is what Abbott describes as complete. The remaining steps cover control activities, regulatory reporting, secure data access and technology compliance confirmation, so testing alone does not make an operator eligible. Registration with the AGCO and the operating agreement with iGO are the requirements that permit an operator to accept bets. We have not confirmed where Stake stands on either.

iGO does not publish a total timeline. It gives an estimate for each step, some as short as two business days, and states that actual timing depends on each operator’s preparedness and responsiveness.

Can You Play on Stake.com with a VPN if You Live in Ontario?

As of January 1, 2026, this is no longer possible. Stake now requires Level 2 KYC, including ID verification. If your ID is issued in Ontario, you won’t pass Level 2 verification. Instead, join the Telegram, and we’ll notify you when Stake.ca goes live.

If you're outside Ontario, you can play on Stake.com without using a VPN.

Crypto Casinos and Ontario Regulations

The AGCO’s Registrar’s Standards for Internet Gaming set two separate rules. Standard 5.69 states that cryptocurrency "is not legal tender and shall not be accepted," and a further standard requires player balances to be displayed in Canadian dollars. A regulated Ontario operator therefore cannot take cryptocurrency deposits.

The most likely payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, Interac, Neteller, Skrill, INSTADEBIT, ecoPayz, and iDebit. However, these are only educated guesses at this point. We’ll update this section once we get confirmed details.

Quick Questions and Answers about Stake Ontario