Online casino and sports betting platform Stake announced Monday that is expanding into Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held across North America.
Key Takeaways
- Stake has a presence in four of the five largest markets in Latin America.
- Mexico’s iGaming industry surpassed retail casinos for the first time.
- The World Cup is expected to result in new betting records.
Stake will set up shop in Mexico under the watchful eye of the Secretary of Government (SEGOB) thanks to a license agreement reached with Uno Capali, a licensed intermediary that allows partner companies to operate gambling platforms.
The deal expands Stake’s growing presence in Latin America. It is already live in Colombia, Peru, and Brazil.
“Mexico is an important and exciting market for us - one that combines strong underlying growth with a deep cultural connection to sport, which aligns perfectly with what Stake is built for,” Stake director Jarrod Febbraio said in a statement. “We've built significant momentum across Latin America in recent years, including in markets such as Peru and Colombia, and Mexico represents a natural next step given its scale and long-term potential.”
On top of the platform’s usual gaming amenities, Stake.mx will feature enhanced technology and a mobile-first design.
The platform will service customers throughout the upcoming World Cup, which will run from June 11 to July 19. Mexico is one of three North American host countries and will showcase 13 matches across Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
The tournament’s opening game between Mexico and South Africa will take place in Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
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Stake commits to local development
Mexico has a well-established sports betting culture that continues to expand rapidly. Previous estimates suggested the country’s operators would generate a combined $1.7 billion in year-end revenue in 2025, spurred by the rise of mobile sports wagering.
Last year also marked an important milestone for online operators, which outproduced retail casinos for the first time on record.
“With Mexico set to co-host the 2026 football World Cup tournament, the timing of this launch reflects our ability to enter high-value markets at the right moment,” Febbraio said. “It gives us the opportunity to establish a strong presence ahead of one of the biggest sporting events in the world and deliver a world-class experience for Mexican players.”
Stake has proved to be controversial for several reasons, including its crypto-focused payment method and divisive guerrilla advertising practices. Those have played a role in the platform being banned in nearly 20 states, the U.K., Australia, and other markets.
However, the company’s new focus on local regulation suggests it is “going clean.”
Building the brand
With its entrance into Mexico, Stake now has a presence in four of the five most-populated Latin American countries. It also said it intends to strengthen its brand ties during the World Cup.
As Stake continues to develop its platform, it recently introduced its Provably Fair technology to guarantee the outcomes of games offered on its platform are legitimate.
It also enlisted the help of Belgian soccer legend Eden Hazard to promote its platform ahead of the World Cup, which is expected to help smash betting records set in 2022. Official estimates for North America haven’t been released, although Americans alone wagered $1.8 billion during the last tournament.
Spain is currently atop the Wold Cup odds board at +450, while Mexico sits far back at +8,000.
