What Happened
A player from France says they gambled on Stake for about a year, though its terms bar French players. They say they verified their ID and French address, never used a VPN, and were even given a mirror link by support when the main site was blocked. They say they became addicted with no limits on offer, and after Stake closed the account they asked for all their losses back plus damages.
How It Developed
- Complaint opened. The player said Stake closed the account, citing a clause in its terms, only after they complained, and that its bonuses and VIP perks kept them betting.
- The mediator asked whether the player had gone to a regulator. The player said yes but wanted the case kept open here too.
- AskGamblers closed the case as unresolved while it waited for the regulator's decision.
- After seeing Stake's proof, AskGamblers said the regulator had already ruled on the issue. It followed that ruling and closed the case in Stake's favour.
Rejected
After a regulator ruled, AskGamblers closed the case in Stake's favour (labelled Resolved). The player got no refund.
What Has (and Hasn't) Helped
Nothing worked for the player: the regulator's ruling went Stake's way, and AskGamblers followed it. Read a casino's list of banned countries before you sign up, because playing from one puts your money at risk even when the site lets you in. If gambling is hurting you, ask for limits or self-exclusion in writing.