Entain and Stake have become involved in a public dispute over the online casino operator’s Curaçao licensing base, as scrutiny of offshore gambling brands increases during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The exchange follows recent Entain research into unlicensed gambling promotion in the UK, which identified Stake and the Kick streaming platform as part of a wider offshore gambling and influencer ecosystem targeting consumers through social media, streaming and football content.
Stake is owned by Easygo, an Australian-founded technology company whose main brands include Stake and Kick. The Stake online casino is operated by Medium Rare NV in Curaçao, one of the gambling industry’s best-known offshore licensing jurisdictions. Curaçao attracts international operators because of its historically low tax structure and relatively accessible licensing model.
The jurisdiction has faced criticism from regulators and licensed operators in several markets over the use of Curaçao licences by brands accused of targeting consumers without local authorisation.
The issue has gained wider attention during the World Cup because Curaçao has qualified for the tournament, giving the island a level of global visibility well beyond its usual profile.
Simon Zinger, General Counsel at Entain, says: “As the World Cup shines a spotlight on Curaçao, it should also raise questions about the gambling operators licensed there and the risks they pose to consumers and sporting integrity worldwide.
“The real question for Stake in this World Cup is whether it is backing Australia or Curaçao.”
Stake rejected the criticism and said it does not operate in or generate revenue from Australia. It said Easygo is domiciled in Australia, employs more than 800 people and pays relevant state and federal taxes.
The company also defended its support for Curaçao during the tournament, saying: “Of course we support Curaçao, what an achievement for a comparatively tiny country to make it to the World Cup.
“This doesn’t mean we don’t support our Socceroos, but we want to acknowledge the Curaçao team for this tremendous feat.”
This latest exchange is partly rhetorical, but it reflects a wider industry dispute over offshore licensing, market access and consumer protection. Licensed operators argue that offshore brands can avoid tax, safer gambling controls, advertising rules and local accountability. Offshore operators argue that their corporate structures and international licences support lawful operations where permitted.
The World Cup has sharpened this debate. Major sports events create large acquisition opportunities for licensed sportsbooks, but also increase the visibility of offshore operators, streaming platforms and influencer-led gambling promotion in markets where local regulators are seeking tighter control.
