Stake has halted access for customers in Ireland after discussions with the country’s gambling regulator, becoming one of the most prominent operators affected by the nation’s new licensing framework.

The move follows engagement between Stake and the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which recently assumed oversight of the gambling sector and introduced a licensing system for remote betting operators. Irish media first reported that Stake blocked local users during the week beginning September 7, with customers now encountering a notice stating: “Due to licensing restrictions, access to Stake from your current location is not available.”

The operator, which describes itself as the world’s largest online casino and sportsbook and reports more than 44 million customers across 169 countries, had been accessible to Irish consumers for several years before restricting access.

New Licensing Rules Drive Enforcement Activity

Ireland’s remote betting licensing regime came into force on July 1, introducing requirements covering age verification, payment of customer winnings, and restrictions on the use of credit. Under the new framework, operating an online betting service in Ireland without the required authorization is now a criminal offence.

To date, 33 licenses have been issued under the system. The initial phase applies to online and telephone betting operators as well as intermediaries facilitating wagers between customers. Additional licensing categories covering online gaming, lotteries, and business-to-business gambling services are expected to open during 2027 and 2028.

GRAI has emphasized that enforcement against unauthorized operators remains a priority. The regulator has authority to issue compliance notices, pursue criminal prosecutions, seek High Court intervention, and impose significant financial sanctions. According to its enforcement framework, serious violations can result in penalties of up to €20 million or 10% of an operator’s turnover.

In a statement provided to The Irish Times, GRAI said that “operators, including two major prediction markets and a major international online gambling platform, have geo-blocked their services, which means that they have voluntarily restricted access to their platforms for users from Ireland”.

While the regulator did not identify the businesses involved, reports indicate that the international gambling platform referenced was Stake. The prediction market operators are understood to be Kalshi and Polymarket, both of which have reportedly restricted Irish access in recent months.

GRAI added: “The GRAI is working closely with operators who have geo-blocked to ensure that consumers in Ireland are promptly refunded all monies deposited with these operators.”

The regulator also noted that “A number of other operators have also closed their betting activities in Ireland following GRAI engagement.”

Questions Remain for Existing Stake Customers

Although Stake has withdrawn access, neither the company nor GRAI has publicly stated whether the measure is temporary or permanent.

The company has not issued Ireland-specific guidance regarding customer balances. However, its terms and conditions indicate that account restrictions should not automatically prevent withdrawals of legitimate funds. Stake’s policies state that customers will be informed about methods available for withdrawing remaining balances when accounts are closed. Users seeking funds from locked, closed, or excluded accounts are directed to contact the company’s support team.

Stake’s decision to block Irish users appears to have prevented a formal public enforcement action. By voluntarily restricting access, the operator avoided an immediate escalation that could have resulted in court proceedings or other regulatory measures.

The case is particularly notable because Stake offers sports betting alongside casino-style games and supports cryptocurrency payments. While Ireland’s newly introduced licensing framework currently applies to betting services, the company elected to restrict access to its entire platform rather than continue offering activities that are not yet covered by the new regime.

Wider Scrutiny of Offshore Gambling Operators

Stake’s withdrawal comes amid a broader effort by Irish authorities to address unlicensed gambling activity. GRAI has stated that Europe’s illegal gambling market accounts for approximately 70% of betting activity and exceeds €80 billion in value, with around 6,000 operators targeting consumers across the region.

The regulator said: “Our enforcement team is focusing on both extraterritorial remote gambling sites that are illegal at the point of consumption in Ireland, as well as unlicensed betting in pubs and unlicensed bookmaking, both in-person and online.”

Separately, GRAI is examining 145 gambling-related websites linked in leaked documents to gambling technology company Soft2Bet and associated partners. According to an international investigation published in July, those domains had been blacklisted by authorities in at least one jurisdiction. The investigation also alleged that Soft2Bet and related businesses generated approximately €600 million from offshore casino operations. Soft2Bet rejected the allegations, stating that the reporting misrepresented its business and corporate structure.

The Irish action is not the only recent regulatory challenge involving Stake. The Curaçao-licensed operator was recently targeted by authorities in Nigeria, where the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority announced a ban affecting all 24 states represented by the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria. The regulator stated that it had previously issued ten warnings regarding the platform.

Stake has also remained under scrutiny in the United Kingdom due to its association with Premier League club Everton. Although the company moved its sponsorship from the front of Everton’s shirt to the sleeve following league rule changes, its continued presence in English football has attracted criticism from industry competitors and regulatory observers.