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Stake Names Country Manager for Canada With Eyes on Expansion

Evans Makayla

Updated as of July 3, 2024 at 1:57 PM EDT • Read time: 1 minute and 41 seconds. Find more information on Twitter and Google News.

Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake driver Zhou Guanyu of Team China drives as we look at Stake's desired expansion into Canada
Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake driver Zhou Guanyu of Team China drives during the Sprint Race of the 2023 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Photo by: Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports.

Stake, an online sportsbook and casino operator, is striving to become one of the top sportsbooks in Canada. Owned by Australia-based Easygo, the company has garnered support from global sports teams and celebrities, such as Canadian rapper Drake and Indian-Canadian rapper Karan Aujla.

Easygo has appointed Kris Abbott, who previously worked at Betano and Coolbet, as the new country manager for Canada. In a statement to Covers, Abbott confirmed that the company’s next focus is to expand into regulated markets.

About Stake

Stake is an online sweepstakes casino, sports betting site, and lifestyle brand available on Stake.us and Stake.com. In January, the company secured a deal with Stauber Motorsport AG for interim naming rights of the F1 team, marking another milestone in their continued growth.

Co-founder Edward Craven expressed that the deal was created to prioritize the fans by offering a new perspective on the connection between sports and entertainment.

Last year, the company started expanding into regulated markets by obtaining a license in Colombia through the acquisition of Betfair’s assets. It has also begun exploring opportunities in other industries. Entering the Ontario sports betting market will mark a significant milestone in its entry into the emerging Canadian sports betting landscape.

In order to compete with the existing Ontario sports betting apps and online casinos, the company will need to be featured in our curated list of the top Canada sportsbook promotions.

Residents of Canada’s most populous province are now being redirected to a webpage displaying a “Coming 2024” banner on the company’s website. It is uncertain if the company will be able to fulfill all regulatory requirements and ensure everything is in order by the end of the year.

What needs to change 

Abbott emphasized that security will be a top priority for the brand, not only for bettors but also for regulators. Despite Stake’s reputation in the crypto gaming industry, Ontario’s ban on cryptocurrency in gaming means the company must pivot in a new direction. Stake has acknowledged this challenge and has sought assistance to ensure compliance with the province’s regulations.

The company is considering entering the Alberta sports betting and iGaming markets in the future, but in order to do so, they must cut all connections with unregulated entities. The specifics of the Alberta market have not been finalized, but it is anticipated to be similar to the Ontario market. Existing operators are expected to have a seamless transition.

Abbott stated that there are a few successful companies in the market currently, but many are not doing well. He believes that Stake has the potential to be one of the winners.

Written By:
Evans Makayla
Andrew is a Publishing Editor at Underscoreg Review. He graduated from Acadia University with a degree in Kinesiology, working as a personal trainer and in injury rehab, and then attended the College of Sports Media in Toronto to attain a diploma in Radio and Television Sports Broadcasting. Andrew has been involved in the sports betting and fantasy sports space since joining the FNTSY Sports Network in 2014, where he worked as a producer, director, and occasional on-air talent on various shows focusing on sports betting and DFS content. Prior to joining SBR, he spent multiple years with the USA Today Network as an editor and writer. Living in Newfoundland, Andrew frequents grey market sportsbooks, but in the past, when he’s lived in regulated areas, he’s become well-versed with all of our best sportsbooks. As strictly a casual bettor, he enjoys making touchdown parlays with friends (bro-lays), sweating out golf cut parlays during majors, playing same-game parlays for fun, and chasing long-shot bets. He also enjoys using sportsbooks that have solid iGaming and casino platforms. As the old guy on staff, he has an affinity for industry news, which confuses some, but shh … quiet … the news is on.