Crypto casino Stake has blocked access for users in Ireland following engagement with the country's Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The platform, which claims 44 million customers across 169 countries, has fully blocked its website for Irish users — both sports betting and casino.
GRAI did not name Stake directly, but said that 'operators, including two major prediction markets and a major international gambling site', voluntarily restricted access from Ireland after regulatory intervention. The regulator is working with operators to return deposits to Irish players. Several other operators have ceased activity in the country after contact with GRAI.
Ireland's new online betting licensing regime came into force on 1 July, requiring age verification, fast payout of winnings and a ban on bank cards. GRAI has issued 33 licences and is reviewing more than 100 operators. According to the regulator, the illegal gambling market in Europe accounts for 70% of betting activity and is valued at €80 billion ($92.34 billion), served by around 6,000 operators.
This is not Stake's first block. In March the platform implemented geo-blocking in the UK after its licence was revoked. The operator was recently banned in Nigeria — Lagos state authorities prohibited Stake across all 24 states represented by the Federation of State Gaming Regulators (FSGRN), citing 10 previous warnings. Stake has obtained licences in Denmark, Argentina and Mexico.
