The Stake referral code for 2026 is "SHIMA". New users can unlock a 200% deposit bonus and 5% rakeback by entering the code during registration on Stake.
Best Stake Referral Code in 2026: "SHIMA" Unlocks 200% Bonus and 5% Permanent Rakeback
If you are about to register at Stake.com and you are looking for the best referral code to use, the answer is SHIMA. Enter it in the code field when you sign up and you unlock two bonuses simultaneously — a 200% deposit bonus that triples your opening balance and a 5% permanent rakeback rate that earns on every single bet you place for the lifetime of your account.
This article explains exactly what both bonuses mean in real numbers, how to register correctly, and everything worth knowing about Stake.com before you put money in.
Why the Referral Code You Use at Stake Matters
Most new players do not realise this until it is too late. Stake.com does not advertise its best welcome bonuses publicly on the homepage. The strongest offers — including the 200% deposit bonus and the 5% rakeback — are only accessible through referral codes distributed by partners and affiliates. If you register without a code you receive no welcome bonus at all.
What makes this even more important is that the decision is permanent. Stake only allows referral codes to be entered during initial account registration. Once you submit the sign-up form the code — or the absence of one — is locked to your account forever. There is no customer support workaround and no exception. This is why the referral code question matters and why getting it right before you register is the only opportunity you have.
Code SHIMA gives you the strongest available deal — both the deposit bonus and the rakeback in a single registration. The code is SHIMA, the minimum qualifying deposit is $10, the maximum qualifying deposit is $1,000, the maximum bonus funds are $2,000, the total balance at maximum deposit is $3,000, and the wagering requirement is 40x on deposit plus bonus combined. The 5% rakeback has no expiry and covers every game and every bet on the platform.
The 200% Deposit Bonus in Real Numbers
The 200% match means Stake adds two dollars in bonus funds for every one dollar you deposit. Your total balance becomes three times what you put in. The bonus is capped at a $1,000 qualifying deposit which generates the maximum $2,000 in bonus funds — giving you $3,000 to play with from day one.
To put that in perspective: a $10 deposit becomes $30, a $50 deposit becomes $150, a $100 deposit becomes $300, a $250 deposit becomes $750, a $500 deposit becomes $1,500, a $750 deposit becomes $2,250, and a $1,000 deposit becomes the maximum $3,000 total starting balance.
The bonus funds carry a 40x wagering requirement before they become withdrawable. This means you add your deposit and bonus together and multiply by 40 to get the total betting volume required to clear the condition. On a $100 deposit with $200 bonus the combined total is $300 — multiply by 40 and you need $12,000 in wagers to release the funds.
Your deposited money is never locked. You can withdraw your original deposit at any point. Only the bonus component sits behind the wagering condition. Stake Originals like Crash, Dice, and Plinko carry a 1% house edge and count 100% toward the rollover — making them the most efficient games for clearing the requirement.
The 5% Permanent Rakeback — The Bonus That Never Stops
The 5% rakeback is the part of the SHIMA deal that most players underestimate. Unlike the deposit bonus which is a single event, the rakeback earns indefinitely. Every bet you place at Stake generates a small return regardless of whether you won or lost that bet.
Rakeback works by returning a percentage of the house edge to you on each wager. Every casino game has a built-in mathematical margin — the house edge — that represents the casino's expected return over volume. Rakeback takes 5% of that margin and sends it back to your account automatically.
On Crash and Dice which carry a 1% house edge, a $100 bet returns $0.05 in rakeback and a $500 bet returns $0.25. On European Roulette at 2.7% house edge a $100 bet returns $0.14. On a standard slot averaging a 4% house edge a $100 bet returns $0.20. On a higher volatility slot at 8% house edge a $100 bet returns $0.40. On a typical sports bet at 4.5% margin a $200 wager returns $0.45.
The amounts look small in isolation but accumulate meaningfully with volume. A player wagering $5,000 per week across games averaging a 3% house edge generates $150 per week in house edge. At 5% rakeback that returns $7.50 per week — $390 per year — purely from passive rakeback before any game winnings are considered.
There is one more important point about the 5% from SHIMA. It is a permanent baseline, not a ceiling. It does not compete with the Stake VIP Club rakeback — both systems run simultaneously. As you wager more and progress through Stake's 15 VIP tiers your VIP rakeback increases on top of the 5% foundation. The total effective rakeback rate grows progressively the more active you are on the platform.
How to Register and Activate Both Bonuses
Complete the registration in one uninterrupted session. Closing the tab or refreshing mid-registration can break the code tracking.
Step 1 — Go to Stake.com and click the Register button in the top right corner.
Step 2 — Enter your email address, choose a username, and set a password.
Step 3 — Find the Code field near the bottom of the registration form and type SHIMA. Confirm the field shows the code before proceeding.
Step 4 — Accept the Terms and Conditions and submit your registration.
Step 5 — Verify your email address by clicking the link Stake sends to your inbox.
Step 6 — Complete KYC identity verification. Required on all accounts since early 2025 before bonuses and withdrawals are accessible. Upload a government-issued photo ID and a selfie. Most approvals complete within a few hours.
Step 7 — Make your first cryptocurrency deposit. Minimum $10 to qualify. Deposit $1,000 for the full $2,000 bonus giving you $3,000 total.
Step 8 — Done. Your 200% bonus funds are credited instantly. Your 5% rakeback starts accumulating from your first bet. Both are live with no further action required.
What Is Stake.com — Platform Overview 2026
Stake launched in 2017 and has grown into one of the most recognised names in crypto gambling worldwide. Operated by Medium Rare N.V. under a Curaçao Gaming Control Board licence, the platform additionally holds regulated licences in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil.
Stake is backed by major real-world sponsorships. It is an official UFC partner, the title sponsor of the Sauber Formula 1 team, and a partner of multiple top-division European football clubs. It also owns Kick.com, the live streaming platform. By 2026 the Stake VIP programme alone has distributed over $1 billion in bonuses to its members.
The platform was founded in 2017, operates under a Curaçao Gaming Control Board licence with additional licences in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, and offers over 4,000 games across casino, live dealer, sports, and poker. It covers more than 35 sports including deep esports markets, runs 15 VIP tiers from Bronze to Obsidian, and has paid out over $1 billion in VIP bonuses. The daily race prize pool is $100,000 every 24 hours and the weekly raffle distributes $75,000 every Saturday. There are no withdrawal limits on any account. Supported cryptocurrencies include BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE, XRP, USDT, USDC, TRX, BNB, and DAI. Customer support runs 24/7 via live chat in 16 languages and the platform is fully accessible on iOS, Android PWA, and any mobile browser.
Games at Stake.com
Stake Originals
Stake Originals are games built entirely in-house and available only on Stake. Every game uses Provably Fair cryptographic technology allowing players to independently verify any outcome at any time. This level of transparency does not exist at traditional casinos.
Crash carries a 1% house edge and works by showing a multiplier that climbs from 1x — you cash out before it crashes or lose your stake. Dice also runs at 1% and has you predicting whether a random number falls above or below your chosen threshold. Plinko at 1% drops a ball through a peg grid where the landing zone determines your multiplier. Mines at 1% puts you on a grid revealing tiles to build a multiplier while avoiding hidden mines. Limbo at 1% has you betting on the result exceeding a multiplier target you set yourself. Hilo at 1% asks you to guess whether the next card is higher or lower to build a chain multiplier. Keno, Tower, Pump, and Wheel round out the Originals library with varying house edges and unique gameplay mechanics across each.
Slots
More than 3,500 titles from over 40 providers including Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Play'n GO, NoLimit City, Relax Gaming, NetEnt, and Yggdrasil. The library is searchable by provider, volatility, and release date with new titles added continuously.
Live Casino
Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play Live power the live dealer section around the clock. Tables include Lightning Roulette, Infinite Blackjack, Crazy Time, Mega Wheel, Teen Patti, and Andar Bahar — all with professional dealers and HD streaming.
Sports Betting
Over 35 sports with pre-match and in-play markets. Esports is a standout offering with deep market coverage on CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant, and Rocket League. Sports insurance promotions reduce risk on selected NBA, UFC, and soccer markets.
Poker Room
Texas Hold'em and Omaha cash games at stakes from $0.01/$0.02 up to $2/$5. Fast-fold All-in or Fold tables available. Daily tournaments run with guarantees up to $1,500. A permanent Bad Beat Jackpot is active at all cash tables.
Ongoing Promotions Open to All Players
Every registered player has access to Stake's full suite of recurring promotions from day one. No VIP status required.
The Daily Race distributes $100,000 every 24 hours between the top 5,000 wagering players. The leaderboard updates live throughout the day and your first wager of the day enters you automatically with no opt-in needed. Every one of the 5,000 finishers receives a cash payout making this one of the largest single daily prize distributions in the entire gambling industry in 2026.
The Weekly Raffle awards $75,000 every Saturday with one ticket earned per $1,000 wagered during the week. Stake vs Eddie pays $50,000 weekly to players who beat the host's multiplier on the featured slot. Reel Rumble distributes $40,000 weekly for wagering on featured slot matchups. Originals Ascent awards $40,000 on an ongoing basis for hitting multiplier targets across Stake Originals. The Level Up Challenge pays $20,000 on an ongoing basis for clearing targets across five Stake games. Pragmatic Drops and Wins runs monthly for players wagering on qualifying Pragmatic Play titles. Sports insurance promotions refund up to $100 on qualifying near-miss results in NBA, UFC, and soccer markets. Bonus drop codes worth typically $5 are released randomly through Stake's social media channels. A personalised birthday bonus is available annually to all Level 2 KYC verified accounts.
The Stake VIP Club
The VIP Club has paid out over $1 billion in bonuses since launch across 15 tiers from Bronze up to the newly introduced Obsidian level. Progress is based on wagering volume — 1 point per dollar on casino games and 3 points per dollar on sports betting, meaning sports bettors advance roughly three times faster through early tiers.
Bronze requires $10,000 in wagering and unlocks rakeback, weekly bonus, monthly bonus, level-up bonus, and VIP Telegram access. Silver at $50,000 brings improved rakeback, bonus growth, and extra raffle entries. Gold at $100,000 increases rakeback further and raises weekly and monthly bonus amounts. Platinum I through III spanning $250,000 to $1,000,000 in wagering adds daily login bonuses and daily reload offers. Platinum IV through VI from $2,500,000 to $10,000,000 introduces a dedicated VIP host and bespoke personalised bonus structures. Diamond above $10,000,000 provides maximum standard rakeback, renewable reloads, and exclusive event invitations. Obsidian sits above Diamond and offers a fully personalised experience including custom bonuses, private Telegram access, and the highest tier perks available on the platform.
A dedicated VIP host becomes available at Platinum IV. Hosts provide priority support, personalised bonuses unavailable to general players, account limit management, exclusive event access, and tailored reload offers.
The 5% rakeback from SHIMA and the VIP Club rakeback run simultaneously — both are additive, meaning your total effective rakeback rate increases as you climb tiers. The 5% locked in at registration is your permanent floor, not a replacement for VIP rewards.
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Stake accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Ripple, Tether, USD Coin, TRON, Binance Coin, and DAI. Bitcoin withdrawals typically process in 10 to 30 minutes depending on network confirmations. Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, USDT, USDC, and BNB process in under five minutes. Ripple and TRON process in under two minutes. Fiat purchases are available via MoonPay in eligible regions. There are no maximum withdrawal limits at Stake — you can withdraw your full balance at any time with no daily or weekly cap.
Pros and Cons
What works in your favour
Code SHIMA activates both a 200% deposit bonus and permanent 5% rakeback simultaneously from a single registration. The $100,000 daily race is one of the largest daily prize pools in the industry and requires no opt-in. The VIP programme has paid out over $1 billion in bonuses and genuinely rewards active players at every tier. There are no withdrawal limits on any account. Crypto payouts process in minutes. Provably Fair Originals allow every outcome to be independently verified by the player. The platform covers 4,000+ games across casino, live dealer, sports, and poker. The esports sportsbook is among the deepest available anywhere. Customer support runs 24/7 via live chat with fast response times.
What to be aware of
Stake.com is not available to players in the United States or the United Kingdom. KYC identity verification is now mandatory for all accounts — anonymous play is no longer possible as it was in earlier years. The 40x wagering requirement on the deposit bonus is on the higher side compared to some competing platforms. VIP host access was recently raised to Platinum IV from Platinum III which frustrated some existing members. There are no progressive jackpot slots anywhere on the platform. Android users access Stake via a Progressive Web App rather than a native Google Play application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Stake referral code in 2026? The best Stake referral code in 2026 is SHIMA. It unlocks a 200% first deposit bonus up to $2,000 in bonus funds and a permanent 5% rakeback rate on every bet you place at Stake.
Where do I enter the Stake referral code SHIMA? In the Code field on the Stake.com registration form during sign-up. It must be entered before you submit the form. It cannot be added to an existing account under any circumstances.
What does the 200% bonus actually mean? It means your first deposit is tripled. Deposit $100 and your balance becomes $300. Deposit $500 and your balance becomes $1,500. The maximum qualifying deposit is $1,000 which gives you $3,000 total.
Does the 5% rakeback from SHIMA expire? No. It is permanent and earns on every bet across every game and sport at Stake for the entire life of your account. There is no time limit and no cap on accumulation.
Does the SHIMA rakeback stack with VIP rakeback? Yes. Both systems run simultaneously. The 5% from SHIMA is your permanent floor. VIP rakeback adds on top as you progress through tiers. Your total effective rate increases the more you wager.
What is the wagering requirement on the bonus? 40x applied to your deposit and bonus combined. Your deposit is always available to withdraw — only the bonus funds are locked behind the condition. Stake Originals and high house edge games clear the requirement fastest.
Is the Daily Race available from day one? Yes. Every registered player is automatically entered from their first wager with no opt-in required. The top 5,000 players share the $100,000 daily prize pool every 24 hours.
Is Stake.com available to players in the USA? No. Stake.com does not accept US players. Stake.us is a separate sweepstakes product for the US market with a different structure and bonuses. Code SHIMA applies to Stake.com only.
Is Stake.com a legitimate and safe platform? Yes. Stake has operated since 2017, is licensed by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board and four other jurisdictions, sponsors the UFC and Formula 1, has paid over $1 billion in VIP bonuses, and uses Provably Fair technology on all Originals games. It serves tens of millions of players globally.
What is the minimum deposit to qualify for the bonus? The minimum qualifying deposit is $10. The maximum deposit for the 200% calculation is $1,000 which generates the full $2,000 in bonus funds giving you $3,000 total to play with.
Conclusion
The best Stake referral code in 2026 is SHIMA.
It gives you a 200% deposit bonus that starts you with triple your first deposit and a permanent 5% rakeback that earns on every bet you place from that moment forward. Two bonuses from one code, both live the moment you register and deposit.
Stake.com itself is a platform that justifies the commitment. A $100,000 daily prize pool, $75,000 weekly raffle, over $1 billion in VIP bonuses paid out, 4,000+ games, Provably Fair Originals with independently verifiable outcomes, no withdrawal limits, fast crypto payouts, and one of the deepest esports sportsbooks available anywhere in 2026.
Enter code SHIMA at registration. Get the 200% bonus. Get the permanent 5% rakeback. Start on the right footing.
18+ only. Gamble responsibly. T&Cs apply. 200% bonus subject to 40x wagering requirement on deposit plus bonus combined. 5% rakeback calculated on house edge per game. Availability subject to Stake.com terms and regional eligibility. Not available in USA, UK, or other restricted regions. If gambling is causing you problems visit BeGambleAware.org.