Best Stake.us Alternative
for Exited States in 2026
Stake.us has now exited 19 states. Illinois is next on May 19, 2026. Here is where displaced players are going.
Disclosure
This article is published by PlasmaPoker. We are one of the alternatives listed. Our comparison uses publicly available data including Trustpilot reviews, app store ratings, public state exit announcements, and documented features. We include honest assessment of all platforms including our own limitations.
Illinois Players: Stake.us exits your state May 19, 2026
If you are in Illinois, your Stake.us account will be restricted soon. Redeem your Sweep Coins now and find an alternative before the cutoff.
Stake.us was once available in all 50 US states. As of April 2026, they only operate in 31 states — and the number keeps shrinking. If Stake.us has left your state or you are worried about being next, this guide covers every viable alternative.
What's Happening with Stake.us?
Stake.us, the sweepstakes arm of the international crypto casino Stake.com, has been systematically exiting US states since 2024. The exits are driven by increasing regulatory pressure as state attorneys general crack down on sweepstakes casino operators.
Key timeline:
- 2024: Stake.us begins voluntary state exits, starting with states that signaled regulatory action
- Early 2025: Acceleration of exits — multiple states per quarter
- April 2026: Now only available in 31 states (down from 50)
- May 19, 2026: Illinois exit announced — the 19th state to lose Stake.us
Meanwhile, competitors are also tightening. ClubWPT Gold added sales tax on Gold Coin purchases as of April 1, 2026 — making them the second operator (after Global Poker in July 2025) to pass tax costs to players.
States Stake.us Has Exited
As of April 2026, Stake.us is no longer available in these 19 states:
Georgia
Exited 2024
Kentucky
Exited 2024
Michigan
Exited 2024
Minnesota
Exited 2025
Mississippi
Exited 2025
Ohio
Exited 2025
Virginia
Exited 2025
Vermont
Exited 2025
Oregon
Exited 2025
North Dakota
Exited 2025
South Dakota
Exited 2025
Nebraska
Exited 2025
Maine
Exited 2025
New Hampshire
Exited 2025
Rhode Island
Exited 2025
Alaska
Exited 2025
Hawaii
Exited 2025
Wyoming
Exited 2026
Illinois
Exiting May 19, 2026
If your state is on this list, you need an alternative. PlasmaPoker is available in 42 states — including every state Stake.us has exited except Washington, Idaho, California, Connecticut, Montana, New Jersey, New York, and Nevada (which are excluded under our sweepstakes model).
Why Is Stake.us Exiting States?
The sweepstakes casino industry exploded in 2024-2025. With that growth came regulatory attention. State attorneys general began investigating whether sweepstakes casinos comply with gambling laws, consumer protection rules, and promotional gaming regulations.
Stake.us, linked to the international crypto casino Stake.com, has faced particular scrutiny due to:
- Regulatory uncertainty: Some states view sweepstakes casinos as unlicensed gambling
- AG investigations: Multiple state attorneys general have sent cease-and-desist letters
- Proactive exits: Stake.us appears to be voluntarily leaving states before being forced out
- Offshore connection: The link to Stake.com raises additional regulatory red flags
Top Stake.us Alternatives (Ranked)
#1 PlasmaPoker — Best Overall (Poker + Slots + Provably Fair)
PlasmaPoker is the only sweepstakes platform that combines real poker with casino slots under one roof, backed by provably fair SHA-256 verification. If you played Stake.us for both slots and poker, PlasmaPoker is the closest replacement.
42
US States
39
Slot Games
6
Poker Variants
50%
Max Rakeback
Why Stake.us players choose PlasmaPoker:
- Provably fair: Every hand and every slot spin uses CSPRNG with SHA-256 verification. Stake.us does not offer this.
- Poker + slots: 43 cash game tables, 20 Rush pools, hourly freerolls, AND 39 slot games.
- No sales tax: We do not add sales tax to Gold Coin purchases.
- Better rakeback: 35-50% across 6 VIP tiers. Stake.us had 3.5% baseline.
- Desktop client: Real Electron app with hotkeys, multi-table, themes.
- Free HUD: Built-in stats tracking at no extra cost.
- PLO5, PLO6, and PLO7: Exclusive variants no other sweepstakes platform offers.
Limitations: Launched March 2026 (newer platform). Sweep Coin purchases pending payment processor approval. Smaller player base than established sites.
#2 Chumba Casino — Best for Slots-Only Players
If you only played slots on Stake.us, Chumba Casino has the largest sweepstakes slot library. Established since 2017 with trusted redemptions.
Strengths: Large slot selection, established brand, fast redemptions, $10 first purchase bonus.
Weaknesses: No poker, browser-only, not provably fair.
#3 Global Poker — Established but Declining
Global Poker is the longest-running sweepstakes poker platform. However, their 2.2/5 Trustpilot rating, sales tax addition, and constant "rigged" accusations make it a risky choice.
Strengths: Established brand, 36 states, proven model.
Weaknesses: 2.2/5 Trustpilot, browser-only, sales tax, no HUD, no PLO5/6, not provably fair.
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | Stake.us | PlasmaPoker | Chumba | Global Poker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US states | 31 (shrinking) | 42 | 45+ | 36 |
| Provably fair | No | SHA-256 | No | No |
| Sales tax | Varies | None | Varies | Yes |
| Real poker | Minimal | 6 variants | None | NLH + PLO4 |
| Slot games | 2,700+ | 39 | 500+ | None |
| Desktop client | Browser + iOS | Win/Mac/Linux | Browser | Browser |
| Rakeback | 3.5% | 35-50% | None | Unknown |
| Multi-table | 6 max | 100 tables | N/A | ~4 |
| Free HUD | N/A | Yes | N/A | No |
The Sales Tax Advantage
Global Poker added sales tax to all GC purchases.
ClubWPT Gold added sales tax to all GC purchases.
PlasmaPoker does not charge sales tax on Gold Coin purchases.
Sales tax on a $49.99 package can add $3-5+ depending on your state. Over a year, a monthly buyer loses $42-57 to tax. Read our full breakdown: No Sales Tax Guide
Poker + Slots Under One Roof
20+ new sweepstakes casinos launched in Q1 2026. Every single one is casino/slots-focused. Zero new poker platforms launched. The market is split:
- Casino-focused: Chumba, Stake.us, Fortune Coins, BangCoins — thousands of slots, no real poker
- Poker-focused: Global Poker — NLH/PLO4 only, no slots
- Both: PlasmaPoker — 6 poker variants, 39 slots, tournaments, Rush pools
How to Switch from Stake.us
Redeem your Stake.us Sweep Coins
Cash out any remaining SC balance before Stake.us exits your state. Plan for 3-5 business days processing.
Try PlasmaPoker instantly — no signup required
Click "Play as Guest" for 50,000 free Gold Coins. Play poker or slots with no email, no credit card.
Download the desktop client
Windows, macOS, Linux. Multi-table, hotkeys, HUD features require the desktop client.
Register to unlock everything
Achievements, battle pass, VIP rakeback, daily bonuses, tournaments. Guest Gold Coins transfer automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Stake.us balance to PlasmaPoker?
No. They are separate platforms. Redeem your Stake.us SC first. PlasmaPoker gives 50,000 free GC to guests and 10,000 more on registration.
Is PlasmaPoker available in my state?
Available in 42 states. Excluded: WA, ID, CA, CT, MT, NJ, NY, NV. If Stake.us exited your state and it is not on our exclusion list, you can play here.
Will PlasmaPoker also exit states?
We proactively comply with state sweepstakes laws and monitor regulatory changes. Our model follows established legal precedent used by operators for 10+ years.
Does PlasmaPoker have as many slots as Stake.us?
No. Stake.us had 2,700+ slots. We have 39 provably fair slots built in-house. What we lack in quantity, we make up with verified fairness.
What about Stake.us rakeback?
Stake.us offered 3.5% base rakeback with VIP scaling. PlasmaPoker starts at 35% (Bronze) and reaches 50% (Diamond Black).
Does PlasmaPoker charge sales tax?
No. The price shown is the checkout price. Global Poker and ClubWPT Gold both charge sales tax.
Stake.us Left Your State?
PlasmaPoker: provably fair poker + 39 slots, 42 states, no sales tax, 35-50% rakeback. Try instantly with no signup.