Stake's Brazil licence lapses as Supreme Court sets hearing

The Brazil licence Stake paid for has now lapsed

Stake's Brazilian authorisation ended on 25 October along with every other federal betting licence in the country. Under Provisional Measure 1.394, published on 25 September, the permits were extinguished 30 days later, which fell on the day of the presidential runoff. iGaming Express reported on 26 October that the authorisations of 85 companies running 188 brands expired, and that the fees paid for them will not be refunded.

For Stake the cost is specific. FairGambling reported on 21 October that Stake had paid a R$30 million licence fee, about US$6 million, and set aside a R$5 million reserve for a five-year licence that had not reached its second year. Its own court case had asked to keep trading until 31 December 2029, when that licence was due to expire, according to iGaming Business.

Nothing in this is a finding against Stake. The ban is government policy covering every licensed operator, and the coverage we opened describes no change to the main crypto site outside Brazil.

Stake says it will fight on; the Supreme Court will listen first

Stake's lawyer, Udo Seckelmann of Bichara e Motta Advogados, told reporters the company will challenge the appeals court ruling that took its Brazilian site offline again on 10 October, and that it was choosing between two strategies. He called that ruling "a political decision", FairGambling reported. In NEXT.io's 23 October preview he added that the measure's wording ends the authorisations on 25 October but that the extinction can still be challenged in court.

The bigger decision now sits with Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux. On 26 October he declined to rule on the trade groups' request to suspend the ban and instead set a public hearing for 3 November at 10:00, Bright Side of News reported on 27 October. Twenty-six participants were admitted, among them the Attorney General's Office, the Ministry of Finance, the football confederation and the trade groups. Individual operators, Stake included, were not invited.

iGaming Express notes that Fux could revive the lapsed licences retroactively until Congress votes. The measure blocks Congress's agenda from 9 November, its first 60 days end on 23 November, and with the recess it could stay in force until 4 March 2027 if never voted on.

What players reported this week

On Trustpilot Stake held a TrustScore of 3.9 from 12,242 reviews as of 29 October. Of the 15 reviews dated 22 to 29 October that we read, six were five-star (praise for support, the app and the interface), two were four-star and seven were one-star. The one-star reviewers report a restricted account with funds locked, a bonus system they call opaque, games removed and limits raised, and a disputed bet; others allege rigged roulette without evidence. Stake replied to most of them, saying restrictions can apply for security reasons and cannot be discussed in public, that post-monthly bonuses are not guaranteed by wagering, and that third-party studios control game availability and limits. Two reviewers reported delayed Indian rupee payments; Stake said INR transactions may need extra checks.

AskGamblers, checked on 29 October, shows 76 complaints with 46 resolved, one more complaint than a week earlier, and a CasinoRank of 9.2 out of 10, down from 9.4. One open complaint reports a withdrawal of $47,981 pending since 9 October; it is a player's account, not a finding, and the page does not show Stake's reply. These are reports, and we have no way to check them.

The bad news

Stake's regulated Brazilian business has gone from offline to unlicensed in a month, with a R$30 million fee it will not get back, and the earliest change depends on a hearing it was not invited to. On the main site, a large withdrawal complaint sits open on AskGamblers and 30 of 76 complaints there are not marked resolved. Stake.com still runs on an offshore Curaçao licence, which gives players limited routes for disputes.

The good news

Stake has fought the Brazil ban through the courts rather than ignoring it, and its site there has stayed dark while the ban stands. On Trustpilot it answers most negative reviews in public and its 3.9 score sits far above the 1.6 that Rollbit holds there. None of this week's news changes our Mixed rating; the full reasoning is in our Stake review.

UK readers and crypto basics

Stake's X profile says stake.com is not available in the UK, the US or Australia. A casino must hold a UK Gambling Commission licence to offer gambling to people in Great Britain, so UK players would be outside GAMSTOP and UKGC protections on a site like this. Crypto balances move with the market, transfers are final, payouts usually come in the coin you deposited and bonuses carry wagering rules. Compare it with others in our crypto casinos hub and the crypto sportsbooks guide. Gambling is 18+ only, and BeGambleAware offers free, confidential help.

What to watch next

The 3 November hearing and whatever Fux decides after it, Stake's own appeal filing, and Congress's 23 November deadline on the measure. On the main site, watch whether the open AskGamblers withdrawal complaint is resolved. Stake's US sweepstakes site is a separate business with its own legal fights, covered on its Stake.us page.

Sources

FAQs

Is Stake still licensed in Brazil?

No. Stake's Brazilian authorisation lapsed on 25 October 2026 together with every other federal betting licence, under Provisional Measure 1.394. The licences of 85 companies running 188 brands ended that day and the fees are not refunded. Justice Luiz Fux could revive them retroactively, and he holds a public hearing on the ban on 3 November.

Why is Stake offline in Brazil?

Brazil's government banned online sports betting and casino games by provisional measure on 25 September 2026, and bettors lost access on 6 October. Stake won a short court reprieve on 8 October, but an appeals court president suspended it a day later and the site has been unavailable since 10 October. It is a nationwide ban, not a finding against Stake.

What happens at the 3 November Supreme Court hearing?

Justice Luiz Fux will hear the government, trade groups, the football confederation and clubs, 26 participants in all, before deciding whether to pause the ban. He declined to rule on 26 October. Individual operators such as Stake were not invited. Congress separately has until 23 November to vote on the measure, which could otherwise run to March 2027.

Can UK players use Stake?

Stake's own X profile says stake.com is not available in the UK. It holds no UK Gambling Commission licence, which any casino needs to offer gambling in Great Britain, so a UK player on a site like this would have no GAMSTOP or UKGC protection. Stake ran a separate UK site through a white-label partner until March 2025.

18+ only. Gambling can be addictive; set limits and never chase losses. Free, confidential support: BeGambleAware.

Stake's Brazil licence lapses as the Supreme Court sets a 3 November hearing