Entain and Stake Trade Barbs Over Curaçao Domicile as Grey Market Tensions Escalate
Entain has taken direct aim at Stake over the operator’s domicile in Curaçao, reigniting debate about grey market operators and their impact on regulated markets. The exchange, reported by the Herald Sun, comes as Curaçao gains global attention for its national team’s performance at the 2026 World Cup.
Simon Zinger, Entain’s General Counsel, questioned whether Stake is “backing Australia or Curaçao.” The comments highlight ongoing friction between licensed operators and those leveraging lower-tax jurisdictions.
From my perspective after decades observing the evolution of gaming, these public disputes underscore structural tensions that operators must navigate carefully. Regulatory pressure is intensifying, and the optics of headquarters location matter more than ever for brand reputation and compliance strategy.
Why Curaçao Remains a Lightning Rod for the Gambling Industry
Curaçao has long served as a popular base for international operators due to its favourable tax regime. The jurisdiction applies a 0% tax on gross gaming revenue and a 2% corporate income tax on net profits.
This framework has attracted numerous .com brands operating globally. However, it has also drawn criticism for enabling unlicensed activity in stricter markets, particularly across Europe.
Stake is operated by Medium Rare N.V. in Curaçao. Easygo, the Australian-founded tech company behind both Stake and the Kick streaming platform, maintains its headquarters in Australia.
Other operators based in the jurisdiction, including Roobet, Duelbits, Santeda International and BC.GAME, have faced similar accusations of unlicensed activity worldwide. The pattern is familiar: low barriers attract innovation but create enforcement headaches for regulators in higher-tax environments.
Entain’s Broader Campaign Against Unlicensed Operators
Entain has ramped up its scrutiny of grey market players in the UK. The LSE-listed FTSE 100 company has engaged with the Independent Football Regulator, the Intellectual Property Office and the Gambling Commission to address unlicensed growth.
Recent research commissioned by Entain positioned Kick as a central hub in the illegal gambling influencer ecosystem. It identified Stake as one of three primary sites advertising illegally to UK audiences.
Stake surrendered its UK licence in early 2025 after pressure. It holds no licences in any Australian jurisdictions either.
Simon Zinger framed the issue in stark terms: “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.”
He added: “The real question for Stake in this World Cup is whether it is backing Australia or Curaçao.”
This represents more than rhetoric. Entain’s lobbying reflects a strategic effort to protect licensed market share from operators who can price more aggressively due to lower overhead.
Stake’s Defence and the Risk of Escalating Public Disputes
Stake pushed back against Entain’s characterisation. The operator does not operate in or generate revenue in Australia. Easygo, the technology company behind Stake, is domiciled in Australia, employing more than 800 people and paying all relevant state and federal taxes.
The response continued: “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.”
It also added: “It’s quintessentially Australian to support the underdog, something that Mr Zinger may not be aware of as a Canadian living in Gibraltar.”
This counter highlights a limitation in Entain’s line of attack. Many licensed operators maintain headquarters in jurisdictions different from their primary markets. LeoVegas and Kindred Group are based in Malta. BetVictor and DAZN Bet operate from Gibraltar while holding UK licences.
The risk here is clear. Public spats can erode trust across the industry. They invite greater regulatory scrutiny and may accelerate calls for harmonised international standards that smaller operators would struggle to meet. For client-partners balancing compliance and growth, the episode illustrates how quickly competitive friction can become reputational exposure.
Stake has faced penalties in multiple jurisdictions and remains under scrutiny. Yet Entain’s focus on national loyalty appears narrower than its more substantive critiques of illegal gambling networks.
Operational and Strategic Implications for Regulated Operators
The dispute arrives at an inflection point for the sector. As regulated markets tighten enforcement, operators like Entain are investing in research and lobbying to level the playing field.
For executives, the lesson is pragmatic. Domicile decisions carry strategic weight beyond tax optimisation. They influence licensing prospects, partnership viability and public perception. In an era of convergence between gaming, streaming and sports, these factors compound.
The 2026 World Cup spotlight on Curaçao merely amplifies existing dynamics. Regulators worldwide are watching how operators respond to such visibility.
The Bottom Line
This war of words between Entain and Stake reveals deeper fractures in a global industry still reconciling low-tax licensing models with tightening consumer protections. Operators must weigh competitive pricing advantages against mounting compliance risks and reputational costs. As someone who has spent decades observing these shifts, I see this as a call for greater transparency and collaboration on cross-border standards. Client-partners should treat such disputes as signals to review their own jurisdictional footprints and advocacy strategies. The coming years will reward those who anticipate regulatory convergence rather than react to it.
