Is Stake.us Legal? Where It's Banned and the Lawsuits Against It

Stake.us operates legally in some US states as a sweepstakes "social casino," but it's restricted in more than 20 states, it keeps pulling out of more as bans take effect, and it's facing lawsuits from players and from Florida's attorney general alleging that it's illegal gambling. Whether it's legal for you depends on your state, and that list keeps getting shorter.

What Stake.us is

Stake.us is the US sweepstakes version of Stake.com, run by Sweepsteaks Ltd. You buy Gold Coins, which can't be cashed out, and you get Stake Cash bundled with them or through bonuses. Stake Cash can be redeemed for real prizes after you play it through. For how that model works and why states are banning it, see are sweepstakes casinos gambling?

Where Stake.us isn't available

As of mid-2026, Stake.us was restricted in about 20 states, including California, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Washington, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Illinois and others, according to Legal Sports Report. Since then:

• Illinois: Stake.us announced its exit in March 2026.
• Indiana: it left before the state's ban took effect July 1, 2026.
• Oklahoma: a state ban takes effect November 1, 2026, and Stake.us was reported to be ending sweepstakes play there.

Check Stake.us's current terms for your state, because this list changes month to month.

The lawsuits

• Drake, Adin Ross and Kick: a class action filed in Virginia in December 2025 named Stake.us, Drake, Adin Ross and Kick, alleging Stake Cash is real-money gambling and that player money boosted Drake's streams. In July 2026, the judge sent the claims to private arbitration under Stake's user agreement and paused the case.
• Minnesota: a player who says he lost more than $80,000 is suing to recover his losses. In July 2026, the judge refused to send it to arbitration, because under Minnesota law a contract for illegal gambling is void.
• Florida: in August 2026, Florida's attorney general sued Stake and VGW, the company behind Chumba, plus their payment processors, seeking to stop them and recover player losses.

Is Stake.us available in Canada?

Stake.us is marketed as a US-only site. Canadians see Stake.com, which is offshore in most provinces, or in Alberta, the newly licensed Stake.ca. See is Stake legal in Canada.

If you want out of Stake.us

• Self-exclude: how to self-exclude from Stake.us. Options run up to indefinite, and it can't be undone.
• Do Stake.com too if you've ever used it. They're separate accounts. Here's how.
• Your state list won't cover it. Sweepstakes sites aren't state-licensed. Block them on every device.

Block it everywhere: how to block gambling sites on your phone and computer, and how to block gambling payments at your bank.

If you're struggling right now

• Thinking about suicide (US and Canada): call or text 988, any time.
• USA: the National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
• Chess vs. Gambling: chessvsgambling.org is a free community that uses chess as a healthy replacement for gambling, with a Discord you can join.
• Anywhere: Gambling Therapy offers free online support in multiple languages.

This article reflects my own research and opinions, not legal advice. Stake.us's availability changes often; this reflects public reporting as of October 31, 2026.