Stake vs Stake: The Australian Trademark Dispute Explained

The Stake trademark dispute concerns two separate businesses: Australia’s share-trading platform and the gambling group behind Stake.com. The broker seeks to restrict the group’s use of the name in Australia, where Stake.com’s own terms already exclude customers.

Who are the two Stakes?

Stakeshop Pty Ltd runs the investment platform at hellostake.com. Its Financial Services Guide describes access to Australian and U.S. securities.

Stake.com, meanwhile, is a casino and sportsbook operated by Medium Rare N.V. Court counsel identifies the case as Stakeshop Pty Ltd v Stake Gaming Pty Ltd. The website operator and litigation entities are distinct descriptions, as the comparison below explains. See also Dyutam’s coverage of Stake’s operator and licensing records.

Why the brokerage brought the case

AAP reported in August 2023 that the broker alleged the casino group’s use of the Stake name suggested a connection between the businesses. The broker said that suggestion was misleading. Its allegations also covered an Australian-accessible merchandise shop.

The broker’s stated concern was customer confusion and damage to its reputation. However, these are allegations, not findings of wrongdoing.

Addisons, which represents the Stake Gaming group, describes the requested restraint on its own website. It says Stakeshop seeks to restrict its client’s use of the STAKE trademark in Australia in connection with its international gaming business. Respondent counsel Catherine Bembrick also identifies trademark infringement and misleading-conduct claims in her case list.

Dyutam did not obtain the complete current pleadings or detailed defense. The available descriptions therefore cannot establish which side will win.

What is known about the hearing dates?

In a report dated September 18, 2025, Gambling Insider listed November 30, 2026, as the hearing date, with further hearings during December 1–8. The same article described subpoena activity in September 2025.

Dyutam could not independently confirm the timetable against a current court listing as of November 10, 2026. Those dates remain attributable to the 2025 report. They do not establish a date for judgment or show that the court will sit on every day within the reported range.

What could change for Stake.com?

If the court grants the restrictions Stakeshop seeks, the gambling group could have to change how it uses the brand in Australia. Whether that requires a different name would depend on the actual orders.

For example, IP Australia explains that courts can order restraints, award compensation or alter trademark registrations, depending on the case. Parties can also settle. These are general possibilities, not a verified list of the remedies sought here.

What this means for players elsewhere

Australian trademark rights do not automatically extend to other countries, according to IP Australia. An Australian dispute therefore does not, by itself, establish a worldwide brand change. The reviewed evidence also provides no basis to predict changes to overseas account balances or withdrawals.

Gambling permission is a separate question. ACMA identifies online casino services offered to Australian customers as prohibited services. Online wagering has its own licensing requirements. A trademark victory would not remove those rules. Our guide to checking casino licensing explains how to assess authorization in a specific market.

For context on a separate access issue, see Dyutam’s coverage of Stake’s restrictions in Ireland. This Australian case concerns brand rights; any practical changes would need to be assessed against the eventual orders and relevant local rules.

FAQs

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Sources

• Justine Munsie: Stake.com representation — Addisons
• Catherine Bembrick: selected cases, page 1 — 5 Wentworth Chambers
• Financial Services Guide — Stake investment platform
• Terms and Conditions, sections 1.1 and 14.3 — Stake.com
• What is international IP? — IP Australia
• Court: trade mark disputes and possible outcomes — IP Australia
• Blocked gambling websites: prohibited and unlicensed services — ACMA
• High stakes as billionaire’s crypto gambling firm sued — AAP, August 18, 2023
• Stake vs Stake in Australia: subpoenas and court hearings — Gambling Insider, September 18, 2025