Who Owns Stake?
Stake is owned by Easygo Entertainment Pty Ltd, a privately held Australian company based in Melbourne. Easygo was founded in 2016 by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, who remain the sole owners and control the business. Stake.com operates through Medium Rare N.V. under a Curaçao gaming license, while Stake.us operates through Sweepsteaks Limited in Cyprus. The company is not publicly traded.
Parent Company
Founded
2017
Status
Private
Headquarters
Stake Timeline
Who Owns Stake?
- Parent Company: Easygo Entertainment
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Stake | Easygo Entertainment | Brand division |
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
Stake on AmazonHistory of Stake
- Founded: 2017
- Founders: Ed Craven, Bijan Tehrani
Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani began working together in 2013 when they launched Primedice, a Bitcoin dice-betting site. Primedice was a simple cryptocurrency gambling product that attracted a niche user base of crypto enthusiasts. The profits from Primedice funded the creation of Easygo in 2016, which they established as a game development studio in Melbourne.
Stake.com launched in 2017 as a full-suite online cryptocurrency casino and sportsbook. The platform differentiated itself from traditional online casinos by accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as primary payment methods. At launch, Stake offered casino games and sports betting with provably fair technology, allowing users to verify the fairness of each bet through algorithmic transparency.
In its first two years, Stake grew primarily through cryptocurrency communities and online gambling forums. The platform attracted users in jurisdictions where traditional online gambling was restricted but cryptocurrency gambling operated in a regulatory gray area. By 2019, Stake was processing significant betting volume from users in Latin America, Canada, and parts of Europe.
In 2021, Stake entered a major sponsorship deal with rapper Drake, reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The partnership involved Drake streaming his gambling sessions on Stake's platform, which brought significant mainstream attention to the brand. The same year, Stake began sponsoring Everton Football Club in the English Premier League for approximately US$12 million annually.
In 2022, Craven and Tehrani launched Kick Streaming, a live-streaming platform positioned as a competitor to Twitch. Kick offered streamers more favorable revenue splits and looser content moderation policies. Kick quickly attracted major streamers and became one of the most successful new entries in the live-streaming market in over a decade.
In 2023, Stake expanded its sports sponsorship portfolio with a reported US$100 million deal to rename the Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team as "Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber." The same year, Easygo Solutions reported a net profit of A$206 million to ASIC after paying A$102 million in tax. Stake reported approximately $4.7 billion in gross revenue (after paying out winnings).
In 2024 and 2025, Stake expanded into regulated markets, opening non-crypto operations in the UK, Portugal, Italy, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. The company also acquired a 5% stake in Australian bookmaker PointsBet and launched operations in Brazil. Stake informed the ASX of the PointsBet acquisition, though Craven stated there were no immediate plans for a full takeover.
In August 2025, the Los Angeles City Attorney filed a lawsuit against Easygo, Tehrani, Craven, and related entities including Sweepsteaks Limited, Kick Streaming, and game suppliers Hacksaw Gaming, Evolution, and Pragmatic Play. The lawsuit alleged that Stake.us operated as an illegal gambling enterprise in California and sought injunctive relief, restitution of California player losses, and civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation. This was the first US governmental enforcement action against a sweepstakes casino.
About Easygo Entertainment
Who owns Easygo Entertainment?
Easygo Entertainment is wholly owned by co-founders Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani. Tehrani holds approximately 66.67% of beneficial ownership directly, while Craven holds the residual minority position via Ashwood Holdings Pty Ltd. Ed Craven serves as the sole listed director. The company is not publicly traded.
Is Easygo Entertainment publicly traded?
No. Easygo Entertainment is a privately held proprietary limited company registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The company files financial accounts with ASIC but is not listed on any stock exchange. The co-founders have not announced plans for an initial public offering.
Who founded Easygo Entertainment?
Easygo Entertainment was founded in 2016 by Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani in Melbourne, Australia. Craven is Australia's youngest billionaire with an estimated personal fortune of A$4.53 billion. Tehrani is an American-born tech entrepreneur. The pair founded Easygo with the vision of reimagining the online gaming industry for a cryptocurrency audience.
What is Easygo Entertainment's annual revenue?
Easygo reported FY2025 (year ended June 30, 2025) revenue of A$970 million and net profit of A$257 million. The company paid approximately A$152 million in corporate tax. Stake.com, the primary revenue source, reported gross gaming revenue exceeding $4.5 billion in 2024. Easygo's net assets stand at approximately A$5 billion following a 2025 internal restructuring.
What brands does Easygo Entertainment own?
Easygo owns Stake.com (cryptocurrency casino and sportsbook with over 21 million registered accounts), Stake.us (US-facing sweepstakes casino), Kick Streaming (live-streaming platform with over 100 million cumulative users), and in-house game development studios Twist and Massive. The company also holds a 5% stake in Australian bookmaker PointsBet.
What is Kick Streaming?
Kick Streaming is a live-streaming platform launched in late 2022 by Easygo's co-founders. It differentiates from competitors through a 95/5 subscription revenue split (creators keep 95%), no forced exclusivity, and lighter content moderation. Kick has over 100 million cumulative users and recorded 1.27 billion hours watched in Q1 2026, up 65% year-over-year. The founders have personally invested nearly $1 billion in the platform.
What regulatory challenges has Easygo faced?
Easygo and its subsidiaries have faced regulatory challenges including a lawsuit from the Los Angeles City Attorney in August 2025 targeting Stake.us, a class-action lawsuit in October 2025 alleging promotion of illegal gambling through Kick, UK Gambling Commission fines leading to Stake.uk.com ceasing operations in March 2025, and legal challenges in multiple US states. Stake has denied wrongdoing and stated it will defend against all claims.
How many employees does Easygo Entertainment have?
Easygo employed 636 staff during FY2025 and has grown to approximately 1,000 employees. The company is relocating from Melbourne's Central Business District to a purpose-built office spanning nearly 13,000 square meters in Cremorne, an inner-Melbourne tech hub, in 2026. Headcount has grown from approximately 100 to approximately 1,000 over four years.
- Founded: 2016
- Headquarters: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Revenue: A$970 million (FY2025, year ended June 30, 2025)
- Employees: Approximately 1,000
Where Is Stake Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Manufacturing / Operations: Australia
Stake Categories & Tags
Stake Sustainability & Ethics
Stake's sustainability profile is dominated by responsible gambling concerns and regulatory compliance challenges. As a cryptocurrency casino operating in a largely unregulated or lightly regulated space, Stake faces scrutiny regarding player protection, anti-money laundering practices, and the social impact of online gambling.
Stake.com provides responsible gambling tools including deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion options, and session reminders. The platform requires KYC verification with government-issued ID and proof of address. However, the effectiveness of these tools in the cryptocurrency gambling context has been questioned by regulators and responsible gambling advocates.
The UK Gambling Commission fined TGP Europe Limited, Stake's UK white-label operator, twice for failures in anti-money laundering controls and social responsibility. The first fine was approximately £3 million in April 2023, and a second enforcement action led to Stake.uk.com ceasing operations in March 2025. These regulatory actions raise questions about Stake's compliance practices in regulated markets.
The August 2025 lawsuit from the Los Angeles City Attorney alleges that Stake.us operates as an illegal gambling enterprise in California. The lawsuit names Tehrani and Craven personally, along with Sweepsteaks Limited, Kick Streaming, and game suppliers. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the sweepstakes casino industry in the US.
Stake Recalls & Controversies
Stake has faced several significant controversies and legal challenges that are matters of public record.
Freeman Lawsuit (2022-2024): Christopher Freeman, a former business partner of Craven and Tehrani, filed a lawsuit in New York federal court in 2022 seeking approximately $400 million. Freeman alleged he was the original mind behind Primedice and that Craven and Tehrani systematically cut him out of profits from both Primedice and Stake. The case was dismissed without prejudice in October 2024 under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a), meaning Freeman could theoretically refile.
UK Gambling Commission Enforcement (2023-2025): TGP Europe Limited, Stake's UK white-label operator, was fined approximately £3 million in April 2023 for anti-money laundering and social responsibility failures. A second enforcement action followed in early 2025, with the UKGC issuing an information notice. Stake.uk.com ceased operations effective March 11, 2025. This represented the second UKGC enforcement action against Stake's UK operations in under two years.
Los Angeles City Attorney Lawsuit (August 2025): LA City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court (Case No. 25STCV25304) against Easygo, Tehrani, Craven, Sweepsteaks Limited, Kick Streaming, Hacksaw Gaming, Evolution, and Pragmatic Play. This was the first US governmental enforcement action against a sweepstakes casino. The lawsuit alleges that Stake.us operates as an illegal gambling enterprise in California and seeks injunctive relief, restitution of California player losses, and civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation. The case is ongoing.
Sponsorship Controversies: Stake's sponsorship of Everton Football Club drew criticism from responsible gambling advocates who questioned the appropriateness of a cryptocurrency casino sponsoring a Premier League team. Similar concerns were raised about the Formula 1 sponsorship deal. These sponsorships proceeded despite the criticism.
Stake Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Founders retain full ownership and operational control, enabling rapid decision-making
- +No public market scrutiny or quarterly earnings pressure
- +Significant financial resources (A$970 million FY2023 revenue) to fund expansion
- +Diversified portfolio across gambling (Stake.com, Stake.us) and streaming (Kick)
- +Proven ability to enter and grow in new markets quickly
Considerations
- -Operating in regulatory gray areas creates significant legal and compliance risk
- -The August 2025 LA City Attorney lawsuit threatens the US sweepstakes casino model
- -UK operations ceased in March 2025 following repeated regulatory enforcement
- -Cryptocurrency gambling faces increasing scrutiny from regulators globally
- -Private ownership limits transparency compared to publicly traded competitors
Frequently Asked Questions About Stake
Sources & Further Reading
- Easygo Entertainment ASIC Filings
- Stake.com Official Website
- Forbes Profile: Ed Craven
- Forbes Profile: Bijan Tehrani
- UK Gambling Commission Enforcement Actions
- LA City Attorney Complaint No. 25STCV25304 — Los Angeles Superior Court
- PacerMonitor: Freeman v. Stake.com et al (1:22-cv-07002)
- Curaçao Gaming Authority License OGL/2024/1451/0918
- The Guardian: Crypto Gambling Site That Sponsors Everton FC Hit With $400m Lawsuit
Competitors to Stake
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Stakeoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Independent Alternatives to Stake
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Easygo Entertainment, giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Media EntertainmentDisney
Owned by The Walt Disney Company
American entertainment company and core brand of The Walt Disney Company, known for animated films, live-action entertainment, and theme parks.
animationentertainmentfilms
Publicly Traded
Disney operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Media EntertainmentPOP MART
Owned by Pop Mart International Group Limited
Designer toy retail and product brand owned by Pop Mart International Group Limited, separate from character properties such as Molly and Labubu.
designer-toyscollectiblesblind-boxes
Publicly Traded
POP MART operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Media EntertainmentSiriusXM
Owned by SiriusXM
American satellite radio and audio entertainment company providing subscription-based services across North America.
satellite-radioaudio-entertainmentsubscription-service
Publicly Traded
SiriusXM operates independently without a large parent corporation.
Media EntertainmentStan
Owned by Nine Entertainment Co.
Australian subscription streaming service owned by Nine Entertainment Co. (ASX: NEC). Launched in 2015 with approximately 2.7 million subscribers and a Stan Sport add-on for live sports.
streamingvideo-on-demandaustralian-media
Publicly Traded
Stan is owned by Nine Entertainment Co., a public company, a different structure than Stake's parent.
Media EntertainmentABC
Owned by The Walt Disney Company
Major American broadcast television network with a rich history in news, entertainment, and sports programming, serving as a cornerstone of Disney Entertainment Television within The Walt Disney Company.
televisionbroadcastingnetwork
Publicly Traded
ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company, a public company, a different structure than Stake's parent.
Media EntertainmentAmazon Music
Owned by Amazon.com Inc.
American music streaming service developed and operated by Amazon.com Inc.
music-streamingstreamingaudio
Publicly Traded
Amazon Music is owned by Amazon.com Inc., a public company, a different structure than Stake's parent.
Jobs at Easygo Entertainment
Latest News About Stake
Related Articles About Stake
View more articles
Entertainment
Toy Brand Ownership: From LEGO to Hasbro
LEGO is family-owned by the Kirk Kristiansens. Hasbro and Mattel are Wall Street-owned. Bandai Namco owns Tamagotchi. Discover who owns the biggest toy brands and why it matters. Explore our database.
Who Brands StaffSep 4, 2026
ToysLegoHasbro
Pop Culture
Video Game Brands and Their Corporate Parents
EA sold for $55B to Saudi Arabia's PIF, Silver Lake and Kushner's Affinity. Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard for $75.4B. Tencent owns Riot, Supercell, and stakes in Epic. Sony bought Bungie for $3.6B. Discover video game brands and their corporate parents.
Who Brands StaffSep 3, 2026
Video GamesAcquisitionsEa
Pop Culture
Brands That Appeared in Super Bowl Ads Then Got Acquired
Poppi ran a Super Bowl ad in February 2025 and PepsiCo bought it for $1.95B. Grubhub debuted in Super Bowl LX after Wonder acquired it for $650M. WeatherTech ran its 14th ad. Discover brands that appeared in Super Bowl ads then got acquired.
Who Brands StaffSep 2, 2026
Super BowlAcquisitionsPoppi
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Media & Entertainment category and related searches from other users.
Brandrecord-label
4AD
Influential British independent record label founded in 1979, known for a distinctive visual aesthetic and a roster spanning Cocteau Twins, Pixies, The National, and Grimes.
Brand in Media & Entertainment
independent-musicbritish-label
Brandtelevision
ABC
Major American broadcast television network with a rich history in news, entertainment, and sports programming, serving as a cornerstone of Disney Entertainment Television within The Walt Disney Company.
Brand in Media & Entertainment
broadcastingnetwork
Brandvideo-games
Activision Blizzard
Video-game publishing identity owned by Microsoft since its $68.7 billion acquisition closed in October 2023.
Brand in Media & Entertainment
game-publishingxbox