Stake Promo Code Canada: Promo Codes vs Referral Codes Explained
By StakeReferralCode.ca Editorial Team · Updated
Searching for a Stake promo code in Canada usually turns up two very different things under one name. The first is the referral code, which you type once, on the registration form, before your account exists. Ours is SHIMA, and it links your new account to a 200% deposit bonus on a qualifying deposit plus 3.5% rakeback on eligible bets. The second is the promo code (often called a bonus drop), which Stake itself publishes from time to time and which existing players redeem inside their account. One is a door you walk through at the start; the other is a ticket handed out later. You can't swap one for the other.
This guide breaks down how each type works, where real codes come from, and how to spot the fakes.
Who can use these codes
Stake.com and code SHIMA are not available in Ontario or Alberta. Stake.com's terms list Ontario as a prohibited jurisdiction, and using a VPN to get around that breaches those terms, which can lead to a frozen account and frozen funds. Alberta now has its own regulated online market, and Stake runs a separate Alberta-licensed site there; the Stake.com offer on this site doesn't apply to Albertans.
In the other provinces and territories, Stake.com accepts players, but it is licensed in Curaçao rather than by any province. That puts it in a legal grey area: players generally aren't prosecuted, but they also don't get provincial regulator protection. Rules can change, so check Stake's terms and your own province before you deposit. Our guide on whether Stake is legal in Canada covers this in more depth.
What a referral code actually is
A referral code is a tag on your account's origin. When you register, Stake's form has a box labelled "Code (Optional)". Whatever you enter there tells Stake which partner sent you, and that link decides which welcome offer is attached to your account.
Key traits of a referral code:
- One-time use. You enter it once, during sign-up.
- Tied to registration. It usually can't be added after the account is created, so it has to go in on day one.
- Permanent link. It stays attached to your account rather than expiring next week.
- No hunting required. You don't need to watch social feeds or catch a deadline. You just need the code before you register.
With SHIMA, the attached offer is a 200% deposit bonus on a qualifying deposit and 3.5% rakeback on eligible bets. The maximum bonus, the minimum deposit, the wagering requirement and the eligible games are set by Stake and shown on the bonus screen, so read that screen rather than relying on any number you see repeated online. For the full walkthrough, see how to use the Stake referral code.
What a Stake promo code (bonus drop) is
Promo codes on Stake work in a completely different way. Stake publishes them itself, typically through its own social media channels, its community forum and its newsletters. They're aimed at people who already have an account.
General traits of these drop codes:
- Released by Stake, not by partner sites. The source is Stake's official channels.
- Redeemed after sign-up. You enter them in the offers or redeem area of your existing account, not on the registration form.
- Time-limited. Drops tend to expire quickly or close once a set number of claims is reached.
- Conditions vary. Each drop can come with its own requirements, such as account level, verification status or recent activity. These are decided by Stake and can change from one drop to the next.
We don't list drop values because they change. A site quoting an exact amount for an "upcoming" drop is a warning sign.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Referral code (SHIMA) | Promo / bonus drop code |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | A Stake partner (this site) | Stake itself |
| Where you find it | Partner sites like this one | Stake's social channels, forum, newsletters |
| When you use it | Once, at registration | Any time after you have an account |
| Where you enter it | "Code (Optional)" field on the sign-up form | Offers / redeem area inside your account |
| How long it lasts | Linked to your account from day one | Short window; can expire or sell out |
| What it unlocks | 200% deposit bonus + 3.5% rakeback (terms on Stake's bonus screen) | Varies per drop; set by Stake |
| Can you add it later? | Usually not | Yes, that's the whole point |
| How many times? | One account, one code | Many drops over time, each claimed once |
Why one doesn't replace the other
People sometimes skip the sign-up code, assuming they'll pick up a promo code later. The problem is that the two cover different moments in an account's life.
A drop code can't retroactively give you a welcome offer. The welcome offer is tied to how your account was created. Once you've registered without a code, a promo code redeemed weeks later doesn't rewrite that history.
A referral code doesn't stop you from claiming drops. Using SHIMA at sign-up doesn't lock you out of Stake's later promotions. Drops are open to eligible account holders regardless of which partner referred them, subject to whatever conditions Stake sets for each one.
So the practical order is simple: enter the referral code when you register, then keep an eye on Stake's own channels if you're interested in drops later.
Fake "promo code generators" and scam codes
Because "Stake promo code" is a popular search, it attracts a lot of junk. Here's what to avoid.
Code generators
Any website, app or bot that claims to "generate" working Stake promo codes is a scam. Promo codes are created by Stake's own systems; there's no outside tool that can produce valid ones. These generators typically exist to collect your login details, push you into installing something harmful, or send you through survey and ad loops that never deliver anything.
Login requests
No legitimate code requires you to hand your Stake username, password or two-factor code to a third party. If a site asks you to "connect your account" so it can "apply" a bonus, close the tab.
Payment requests
Never send crypto to someone who promises to "activate" a promo. Real codes are redeemed inside your own account.
Unofficial Telegram and Discord "leaks"
Groups that promise early access to drops, or sell "VIP code lists", aren't connected to Stake. The only reliable sources for drop codes are Stake's official channels. If you can't trace a code back to one of them, don't trust it.
Quick safety checklist
- Did the code come from Stake's own channel, or from the registration step on a known partner site?
- Are you entering it only on stake.com, not on a third-party page?
- Has anyone asked for your password, two-factor code or crypto? If yes, stop.
- Can you read the terms before you claim? If not, skip it.
How to get both types right
For a new player outside Ontario and Alberta:
- Open Stake's registration form through our Stake referral link.
- Enter SHIMA in "Code (Optional)", in capitals.
- Finish registering, and keep to one account; duplicates are banned.
- Read the bonus screen before depositing. Our 200% bonus guide explains what to look for.
- Later, redeem any drops from Stake's official channels in your account's offers or redeem area.
FAQ
Is a Stake promo code the same as a referral code?
No. The referral code goes in once, on the sign-up form, and decides your welcome offer. A promo or drop code is published by Stake for existing players and redeemed later inside the account.
Can I enter SHIMA after I've already registered?
Usually not. Referral codes are meant to be added at registration. If you've already created an account without one, the code normally can't be attached afterwards.
Where do real Stake promo codes come from?
From Stake itself, through its own social channels, community forum and newsletters. They're time-limited and come with conditions set by Stake.
Do promo code generators work?
No. Only Stake can create valid drop codes. Generators are scams that usually aim to steal account details or send you through ad and survey loops.
Can I use both a referral code and promo codes?
Yes. Using SHIMA at sign-up doesn't prevent you from claiming later drops, as long as you meet the conditions Stake sets for each one.
Can I use these codes in Ontario or Alberta?
No. Stake.com isn't available in Ontario, and Alberta players should use the regulated Alberta site, where code SHIMA and this offer don't apply.
Conclusion
The referral code and the promo code do different jobs. One shapes your account from the moment it's created; the other is a short-lived extra that Stake hands out later. Get the first one right at registration, ignore anyone selling or "generating" the second, and read every set of terms before you claim. If you're signing up from an eligible province, use the Claim button on this page and enter SHIMA on the form.
Related Guides
- Ready to sign up? Start with the Stake referral code SHIMA for Canada.
- Stake Bonus Code Canada: What Works at Sign-Up
- Stake Affiliate Code Canada: SHIMA Explained
- Stake Welcome Bonus Canada: 200% Deposit Bonus
- All Stake guides for Canada
Play responsibly
Set a budget before you play and use Stake's deposit limits, loss and wager limits, cooling-off and self-exclusion tools in your account settings. If gambling stops being fun, free confidential help is available through your provincial helpline (for example, BC 1-888-795-6111 or Quebec 1-800-461-0140). See our responsible gambling page for every province's number and more support options.
19+ (18+ in AB, MB, QC). Not available in Ontario or Alberta. Gambling can be addictive – play responsibly.