Is Stake Available in Ireland? Not Since September 2026
By Eoin Fahy ยท Updated 7 October 2026
No, Stake blocked Irish users for the time being. In the week beginning 7 September 2026, Stake blocked access to Irish users after making contact with the Irish gambling regulator. Currently, Stake's home page loads in Ireland, but the sign-up form has a message stating access from the user's location is not available.
- Blockedsign-up from Ireland
- 7 Sep 2026the week Stake closed to Ireland
- 5 Feb 2026unlicensed betting became an offence
- 2027-2028Irish casino licences due
The short answer
- Stake has blocked Irish users for now. The notice reads: "Due to licensing restrictions, access to Stake from your current location is not available."
- It followed contact with the regulator. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has been acting against unlicensed betting since February 2026.
- The reason is the sportsbook. Offering betting here without an Irish licence is an offence. Stake runs betting and casino on one site, so both went.
- Stake is reported to be applying for a licence. No return date has been given.
- An Irish casino licence does not exist yet. Applications are due in 2027 and 2028.
Is Stake available in Ireland right now?
On 6 October 2026, we accessed Stake from an Irish connection. The home page and game lobby loaded correctly. We were blocked from doing anything with an account.
The text of the message has not changed and states, "Due to licensing restrictions, access to Stake from your current location is not available." It doesn't name a specific regulator and gives no date.
What happened between Stake and Ireland
- 5 February 2026
Unlicensed betting becomes an offence
Section 67(1) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 comes into force, with the regulator's power to seek court blocking orders.
- 30 June 2026
The licence window closes
Applications for the first remote betting licences had been open since 9 February.
- 1 July 2026
Licences take effect
Licensed betting operators begin trading under the new regime.
- July 2026
First withdrawals
Polymarket and Kalshi are reported to have closed to Ireland after a warning from the regulator.
- Week of 7 September 2026
Stake closes to Ireland
Stake blocks Irish users after contact with the regulator. The casino goes with the sportsbook.
- 15 September 2026
The Irish Times reports it
The paper says more than 100 operators are under investigation and 33 licences have been issued.
Why Stake blocked Ireland
Stake's sportsbook
Betting needs an Irish licence. Stake did not hold one.
Offering it to Irish customers has been an offence since 5 February 2026, and the regulator can ask a court to block the site and its payments.
Result the legal pressure point.
Stake's casino
No Irish licence exists for online casino games yet.
The offence for unlicensed casino games, section 67(2), has not been commenced.
Result closed anyway, because it shares the site.
This closing of Stake was not caused by Irish users breaking the rules. Stake closed because it was providing a betting service without a licence which Ireland now requires. A single, multi-jurisdictional site meant that the casino would have to close in order to comply.
There is no evidence to suggest a court order was obtained. After contact was made with the regulator, it is reported that Stake will apply for a licence.
If you had money in a Stake account
- Contact live supportStake's home page still shows a Live Support link from Ireland. Ask how to withdraw.
- Withdraw to your own walletAn address you control, on the same network the coin uses.
- Keep the transcriptSave the chat and any ticket number.
- Record the transactionDate, amount and transaction ID, for your own files and for Revenue.
Do not try to get around the block. Stake's terms forbid access from restricted locations. An account opened or used against those terms can be closed and its balance refused, and you would have no regulator in Ireland to turn to.
Will Stake return to Ireland?
It is possible to obtain a remote betting licence in Ireland as of 1 July 2026. Stake has reportedly said it will apply for a licence.
The case for the casino is different. The regulator expects to take gaming licence applications through 2027 and 2028, and has given no timeframe for online casinos. A licensed Stake could return first as a sportsbook, and later as a casino.
A licensed version would also be a different product. Irish licensees will have to verify the identity and age of customers, will not be permitted to accept payments via credit cards, and will be restricted in relation to bonuses and promotions and advertising once those sections of the legislation come into operation. The Stake that Irish customers knew, with instant sign-up and VIP rakeback, is unlikely to be the one that comes back.
Stake did not leave over its casino. It left over its sportsbook, and the casino had no way to stay behind.
Eoin Fahy, BitcoinSpinsWhat Stake's exit means for other crypto casinos
- The same law applies to them. Nearly every crypto casino has a sportsbook, and none holds an Irish betting licence.
- Access can end overnight. Stake gave Irish players no notice period that we could find.
- The casino side is not protected. A casino-only argument did not keep Stake's casino open.
- Small balances are the defence. Withdraw often, and do not leave money sitting in any casino account.
We review each of the casinos that we feature against the terms and conditions of that casino for Ireland, and we only feature casinos games. The ten that accepted Irish players on 6 October 2026 are in Bitcoin casinos in Ireland. Any of them can do what Stake did in September.
If you used Stake for the rakeback, what is rakeback? explains what the reward is and how it works at the various providers.
Stake in Ireland: FAQ
Is Stake legal in Ireland?
Currently, Stake holds no Irish licence and, since 5 February 2026, it has been an offence to accept bets from Irish residents without a licence. Stake has, however, closed to Irish users. Playing was never an offence for the customer.
Can I still bet on Stake from Ireland?
No. Stake has blocked Irish users for now. From an Irish connection, the sign-up form shows a licensing notice and will not allow an account to be opened.
Why did Stake leave Ireland?
Stake's block was issued due to licensing restrictions. This occurred during the week of September 7, 2026, after contact was made with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. This entity may request a block on unlicensed betting sites and their payment services from the Irish High Court.
Will Stake come back to Ireland?
It has been reported that Stake will apply for an Irish licence. Currently, there are Irish licences for betting. It is unlikely that a full licence with casino games will be available until 2027 or 2028.
What happens to my Stake balance?
Stake's notice doesn't say. If you had a balance on Stake, contact their live support, and request a withdrawal to your own wallet, and save the chat.
Which gambling sites hold an Irish licence?
Betting operators licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. Thirty-three licences had been issued by mid-September 2026, according to the Irish Times. There is currently no Irish licence for online casino games.
Does this affect other crypto casinos?
Possibly. It is expected that most, if not all, crypto casinos that run a sportsbook, similar to Stake, will also operate a casino without an Irish licence. Is crypto gambling legal in Ireland? tracks the law section by section.
Sources
About the author
Eoin Fahy writes BitcoinSpins from Galway. He opens Stake from an Irish connection each month to see whether the notice is still there, and updates this page when it changes.
Play it safe
You must be 18 or over to gamble. Set a limit before you deposit and treat any loss as the cost of the fun. If gambling stops feeling like a pastime, GamblingCare runs a free 24-hour helpline on 1800 936 725. Our responsible gambling page lists more Irish support services.