Is your casino witholding your money, and are they licensed in Curaçao?

[caesar5000]

In 2023 Stake with held my withdrawals after they "suspected" a breach of their TOS

I had actually given up at one point because they requested KYC to level 4 and I literally could not prove my source of funds because they do not accept crypto as a source of funds. That's right, a crypto casino will not accept you making money on crypto as a source of income.

So I gave up at that point and just wrote it off as a loss

but coming back to it and actually really going through it, they are obviously not aloud to do this and there are ways and processes to go through this to get your money back, especially if they are licensed in Curaçao

lawyers aren't nescessary and if you have all the evidence documented that you haven't done anything wrong it makes it MUCH easier, especially if they have contradictions on record through emails or through support chat

[aioc]

In 2023 Stake with held my withdrawals after they "suspected" a breach of their TOS

lawyers aren't nescessary and if you have all the evidence documented that you haven't done anything wrong it makes it MUCH easier, especially if they have contradictions on record through emails or through support chat

Since you stated this, why not post proof that you indeed played on Stake.com and that they withheld your funds because you cannot prove the source of your funds.
This is a section for scam accusations, and every accusation should be in this format.

What happened::

Scammers Profile Link:

Reference Link:
Amount Scammed:
Payment Method:
Proof of Payment:
PM/Chat Logs:
Additional Notes:

Without providing this, your accusation will not stand.

[Zwei]

but coming back to it and actually really going through it, they are obviously not aloud to do this and there are ways and processes to go through this to get your money back, especially if they are licensed in Curaçao

lawyers aren't nescessary and if you have all the evidence documented that you haven't done anything wrong it makes it MUCH easier, especially if they have contradictions on record through emails or through support chat

i don't know what you want to achieve with this post?
are you trying to bait people into contacting you to show them this "MUCH easier" way to get their money back or what?

if there is really a way as you say that doesn't involve lawyers to do the legwork in curacao, please do share more details with all of us.

[caesar5000]

In 2023 Stake with held my withdrawals after they "suspected" a breach of their TOS

lawyers aren't nescessary and if you have all the evidence documented that you haven't done anything wrong it makes it MUCH easier, especially if they have contradictions on record through emails or through support chat

Since you stated this, why not post proof that you indeed played on Stake.com and that they withheld your funds because you cannot prove the source of your funds.
This is a section for scam accusations, and every accusation should be in this format.

What happened::

Scammers Profile Link:

Reference Link:
Amount Scammed:
Payment Method:
Proof of Payment:
PM/Chat Logs:
Additional Notes:

Without providing this, your accusation will not stand.

sorry boss your right

stake restricted my account during a KYC review which later created a jurisdictional block.

After i recieved the block i was emailed that my account was in "withdraw only mode", the UI at the top of my account was in "withdraw only" mode while betting was disabled, requiring level 3 and 4 to continue.

given all of that, i was still not able to withdraw

since then stake has repeatedly refused to process any withdrawal, shifting explanations, and continued requests for level 3 and 4 KYC even though I have already submitted it and had it rejected lmao its nuts

its $5k+ they are holding

This happened in early 2023, basically coming onto 3 years, its only in the last 4 weeks that i've properly had a look at it and started the process of actually getting it back. And not wasting time trying to get askgamblers or anyone else to handle the dispute for me

[holydarkness]

[...]
This happened in early 2023, basically coming onto 3 years, its only in the last 4 weeks that i've properly had a look at it and started the process of actually getting it back. And not wasting time trying to get askgamblers or anyone else to handle the dispute for me

Well, 2023 and now [2026] is different. Though I no longer follows the update of regulation on Curacao-based license after many casinos jump ship to Anjouan, cases in 2023 were handled by the four master license holder, in 2024 [or was it early 2025?] Curacao made a massive reconstruction where licensing is directly under CGA [Curacao Gambling Authority], under the govt. themselves. So, if there is a difference in difficulties between then and now, maybe that's it.

[coin-investor]

its $5k+ they are holding

This happened in early 2023, basically coming onto 3 years, its only in the last 4 weeks that i've properly had a look at it and started the process of actually getting it back. And not wasting time trying to get askgamblers or anyone else to handle the dispute for me

You were asked to provide proof, so your next step is to do so. Post the screenshot of the email you received, or anything else that proves your point. Until you do that, it's just more storytelling.

If you are serious, you will do this; if you think there is no violation of the TOS, you will not wait three years, because if you are clean, it will be resolved in your favor.

[r_victory]

My question is, if something as important as having your money withheld and your verification "rejected" happened almost 3 years ago, why are you only looking into it now? The more time passes, the harder it becomes to resolve. If it were me, I wouldn't wait, especially since I haven't broken any rules, and I'm in the right.

Follow the instructions given regarding evidence; only then will you be able to get any help here on the forum.

[robelneo]

We are wondering why wait for three years. Do you need money now, and you think that you can finally withdraw your money
Anyway, you can still recall what went wrong on your account three years ago, but I don't know about Stake if they are not deleting inactive accounts from their database.
It's better if you can still log in, take a screenshot, act now, and address your issue seriously, so you can withdraw it and not be hounded again in the next three years.

[coupable]

its $5k+ they are holding

This happened in early 2023, basically coming onto 3 years, its only in the last 4 weeks that i've properly had a look at it and started the process of actually getting it back. And not wasting time trying to get askgamblers or anyone else to handle the dispute for me

This is can be considered a small amount of money to go through juridiction process. First, I don't think a wealthy company such as stake casino wouldn't risk its breputation fpr this small amount and you can see they pay bigger amount for a promotional campaign here in bitcointalk. second, it will cost you more than the held amount to go through a juridiction process.
I don't advice you to let go your case even after three years, but better continue making noises everywhere about your situation with stake. The casino has representatives here in the forum and they are reputed members who can help.

[caesar5000]

[...]
This happened in early 2023, basically coming onto 3 years, its only in the last 4 weeks that i've properly had a look at it and started the process of actually getting it back. And not wasting time trying to get askgamblers or anyone else to handle the dispute for me

Well, 2023 and now [2026] is different. Though I no longer follows the update of regulation on Curacao-based license after many casinos jump ship to Anjouan, cases in 2023 were handled by the four master license holder, in 2024 [or was it early 2025?] Curacao made a massive reconstruction where licensing is directly under CGA [Curacao Gambling Authority], under the govt. themselves. So, if there is a difference in difficulties between then and now, maybe that's it.

yeh I assume it may have been harder for resolution pre 2025 considering LOK cam through and implemented during that time? from what I can see after LOK players seem to have more protection and better resolution pathways, but not sure, still crazy how these casinos and almost do what they want with players money even if they just have "reason to believe" or you "may" have done something. I get that no kyc and using anon crypto addresses attracts certain things, but still.

[caesar5000]

My question is, if something as important as having your money withheld and your verification "rejected" happened almost 3 years ago, why are you only looking into it now? The more time passes, the harder it becomes to resolve. If it were me, I wouldn't wait, especially since I haven't broken any rules, and I'm in the right.

Follow the instructions given regarding evidence; only then will you be able to get any help here on the forum.

well we are in different life situations, so you may do things at certain times and I may not. At the time I sent many emails back and forth for 18 months, and if you have any experience with online casinos and trying to withdraw you would know this can be a very difficult process because all they do is stonewall and send the same boilerplate messages back

I had no idea about the process for resolution and honestly just assumed the money was gone because i thought I had exhausted everything, and getting a lawyer for 1.55 eth is obviously -ev

especially when they're in the cuacao jurisdiction. There's a REASON these casinos get licenses there and in these obscure areas, and its NOT for the protection of the players who use their service

here's one of the emails I ended up sending a long the way for reference and their response:

Formal Legal Demand – Release of Account Funds
----------------------------------------------

From ********** <*******@********>ToStake Staff<accounts @stake.com>DateWednesday, ** December 2025 at 13:37Wednesday, ** December 2025 at 13:37


Hello,

This email constitutes a formal legal demand.

I write further to my prior correspondence, including my pre-action notice and my notification that a regulatory complaint has been submitted to the Curaçao Gaming Authority.

Stake is currently retaining a positive balance of approximately 1.55 ETH on my account while asserting that withdrawals are restricted pending completion of KYC Level 4 verification. I have repeatedly explained, in good faith, that the specific documentation required at Level 4 is not possible to provide due to the nature of my historical source of funds.

Despite this, Stake has:

-   continued to retain the funds without a defined resolution path,
    
-   failed to provide any alternative withdrawal mechanism, and
    
-   issued contradictory representations regarding withdrawal availability, including written communications and account interface messages indicating “withdraw-only mode” while withdrawals remain impossible in practice.
    

Clause 4.23 of Stake’s Terms of Service states that where an account is closed or suspended, the user will be informed of the available means to withdraw the remaining balance. To date, no such means has been identified or offered.

Stake’s current position appears to amount to an indefinite KYC-based restriction with continued fund retention, without a clear legal determination, without forfeiture proceedings, and without a defined endpoint. Reliance on Clause 4.8 alone does not address this situation and raises material issues under Curaçao gaming law and general principles of proportionality and consumer protection.

Accordingly, I formally demand that Stake, within 7 days of the date of this email, do one of the following:

1.  Enable withdrawals and release the remaining account balance; or
    
2.  Provide a clear written statement identifying the specific legal basis under Curaçao law for the continued retention of the funds, including confirmation of whether the funds are considered temporarily restricted, indefinitely frozen, or forfeited.
    

If this matter is not resolved within the above timeframe, I will proceed without further notice to pursue the available remedies, including formal legal action in the appropriate jurisdiction.

This demand is made without prejudice to any rights or remedies available to me.

Regards

Re: Formal Legal Demand – Release of Account Funds
--------------------------------------------------

FromStake Staff <accounts @stake.com>To******@p******DateSunday, ** December 2025 at 22:52Sunday, ** December 2025 at 22:52

Hello there,



As previously communicated, your account has been temporarily suspended due to concerns about a potential breach of our Terms of Service.



To proceed with the review and assess the possibility of lifting these restrictions, please complete your verification up to Level 4 by following the steps outlined in our previous email. Kindly note that until this verification process is completed, your account will remain restricted and withdrawals will not be available.



We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.



Kind regards,

Albi

just an example back and forth and the emails i'm now having to send. The funny thing is the longer I worked on this the more I realised something else, the potential breach wasn't brought up until very late in the dispute, and the REAL problems are that i've received an email saying my account was in withdraw only mode AFTER I submitted KYC, but then stake claimed I can only withdraw after I submitted KYC. However, I can't submit KYC because they have already confirmed and blocked it lol.

so I end up in an infinite loop and obviously regulators don't like this.

[caesar5000]

its $5k+ they are holding

This happened in early 2023, basically coming onto 3 years, its only in the last 4 weeks that i've properly had a look at it and started the process of actually getting it back. And not wasting time trying to get askgamblers or anyone else to handle the dispute for me

This is can be considered a small amount of money to go through juridiction process. First, I don't think a wealthy company such as stake casino wouldn't risk its breputation fpr this small amount and you can see they pay bigger amount for a promotional campaign here in bitcointalk. second, it will cost you more than the held amount to go through a juridiction process.
I don't advice you to let go your case even after three years, but better continue making noises everywhere about your situation with stake. The casino has representatives here in the forum and they are reputed members who can help.

if you go through the correct process it is STAKE who has to pay the fees if you are found innocent. The jurisdiction process is FREE.

So I don't know where you're getting your imaginary information but I hope you're not sharing this with others because your opinion could hurt others in getting their money back if they've done nothing wrong, because they may take what you've said as facts and give up, when its completely wrong.

 and I honestly don't think stake cares about people talking shit about them, they would look at the numbers and see that it has very little net effect on their revenue.

I'd hope their reps can help on this forum, but right now i'm deep in the resolution phase with a stack of evidence against stake covering many contradictions on their shitty service with a regulator going after them. If the reps can step in and just give me my money back, no problem, but this is with their legal team now so i'd be surprised if a forum poster would have the authority

[caesar5000]

its $5k+ they are holding

This happened in early 2023, basically coming onto 3 years, its only in the last 4 weeks that i've properly had a look at it and started the process of actually getting it back. And not wasting time trying to get askgamblers or anyone else to handle the dispute for me

You were asked to provide proof, so your next step is to do so. Post the screenshot of the email you received, or anything else that proves your point. Until you do that, it's just more storytelling.

If you are serious, you will do this; if you think there is no violation of the TOS, you will not wait three years, because if you are clean, it will be resolved in your favor.

no just because you are in the right doesn't mean stake will magically hand over your money again. That's now how this works and it's now how stake operates. This isn't money between friends and good guys where being in the right will be acted in that way. This is a casino licensed in butt fuck curacao, and they are licensed their for a reason.

There was no violation on the TOS. I waited this long because I had already tried many many times back and forth and gave up because the money they were holding was small enough that getting a lawyer involved would COST more.

Your Stake account has been placed into withdraw only mode
----------------------------------------------------------

Fromstake.com <noreply@stake.com>To****@******DateSaturday, 16 November 2024 at 05:45Saturday, 16 November 2024 at 05:45

Hi *****,
========

Your account has been placed into withdraw-only mode. During this time, you will not be able to place bets, however you can still receive unclaimed bonuses, benefits & withdraw funds.

To resume betting, please complete level 3 verification. This is in accordance with our licensing requirements.

Complete Verification

Once you have submitted the relevant documentation, feel free to contact our 24/7 live support to help speed up the process.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for understanding. We hope to have you back Staking as soon as possible!

Regards,

Stake Compliance Team

This was the email I received after completing their KYC requests. It was explicitly about my account being in withdraw only mode. But, I could not withdraw. At the top of my UI while logged into stake it reads:

Withdrawal Only Mode - Please submit Level 3 verification to activate Deposit, Buy Crypto and Tip functions. Verify

Yet I can not withdraw.

These a big contradictions.

I have already submitted KYC, they rejected on my jurisdiction, yet they still want KYC lmao. it's an infinite loop and they obviously can't just retain funds indefinetely without a pathway to resolution. And this is the problem.

Even though I have done nothing wrong, even though stake is contradicting themselves, even though they are requiring an impossible pathway to withdraw from an infinite loop, they are still with holding my funds and have done so for 3 years.

I'm deep into resolution now. My initial emails were quite emotional as I was accusing them of stealing my money etc. and that didn't work, stake does not care nor respond to this type of emails. So I had to change it up and I hope to post how this was resolved to help others, because it seems even here in this thread there are a LOT of assumptions of how this works.