Stake Affiliate Code Canada: SHIMA Explained

One field, four names

Stake's sign-up form has a single optional code field. Different websites, forums and videos describe it with different words, which is where the confusion starts.

There's no separate "affiliate box" and "referral box". If someone tells you to use an affiliate code and someone else says to use a referral code, they're both describing the one entry on the registration form. You can only fill it in once, with one code.

The word "affiliate" simply reflects who issues the code: a partner (an affiliate) of Stake. From the player's side, nothing about the process changes based on what the code is called.

What the affiliate code does for you

Entering SHIMA does two practical things.

It links a welcome offer to your account

With code SHIMA, your account is set up for a 200% deposit bonus on a qualifying deposit. Stake decides the maximum bonus, the minimum deposit, the wagering requirement and which games count, and it shows these on the bonus screen. We don't quote figures for those because they're Stake's to set and can change. Read the screen before you deposit. Our 200% bonus guide walks through the terms worth checking.

It adds rakeback on eligible bets

The code also attaches 3.5% rakeback on eligible bets. Rakeback returns a slice of the house edge on your play, whether you win or lose a given bet. It doesn't change the odds of any game, and it doesn't make gambling profitable over time; it just softens the cost of play. See Stake rakeback explained for how it's calculated and claimed.

What it doesn't do

• It doesn't cost you anything or reduce your winnings.
• It doesn't give the affiliate access to your account, funds or personal details.
• It doesn't stop you from taking part in Stake's later promotions.
• It doesn't override Stake's terms, regional restrictions or verification rules.

Players vs partners: the affiliate program

There's a second meaning of "Stake affiliate" that has nothing to do with the sign-up box: Stake's affiliate program for partners.

As a player, you use an affiliate code. You type someone else's code at registration to get the attached offer.

As a partner, you join Stake's affiliate program. You get your own code and link, promote Stake to others, and earn commission under the program's terms. That's a separate arrangement with its own application, rules and reporting.

A few general points if you're curious about the partner side:

• Joining the affiliate program doesn't give you a better bonus on your own account. Partner codes are for referring others.
• Partners are responsible for following advertising rules in the places they promote. In Canada, that includes respecting provincial restrictions, such as not marketing the Stake.com offer to people in Ontario or Alberta.
• Self-referral (creating a second account with your own code) breaks Stake's one-account-per-person rule. Duplicate accounts are banned.

If you just want to play, you don't need the affiliate program at all. You only need to enter the code once at sign-up.

How to enter the Stake affiliate code

The steps take a couple of minutes.

1. Open the registration page. Use the Claim button on this page or our Stake referral link to reach Stake's sign-up form.
2. Fill in your details. Email, username, password and date of birth, as Stake requests.
3. Find "Code (Optional)". It sits on the registration form. On some screens you may need to tap it to expand the field.
4. Type SHIMA. Use capitals and check there are no extra spaces.
5. Complete sign-up. Accept the terms, then verify your email if asked.
6. Check the bonus screen before depositing. Confirm the offer is showing and read its terms.

If you've already registered without a code, it usually can't be added later. Don't open a second account to fix that; duplicate accounts are banned. For a screenshot-style walkthrough, see how to use the Stake referral code.

Common slip-ups

• Typing the code in the wrong place, such as a chat box or a later redeem field, instead of the sign-up form.
• Lowercase or typos. Enter it exactly as SHIMA.
• Depositing before reading terms, then discovering the deposit didn't meet the qualifying conditions.
• Using a VPN to sign up from a restricted province. That breaches Stake's terms and can get funds frozen.

Who can use code SHIMA in Canada

Not eligible:

• Ontario. Stake.com's terms list Ontario as a prohibited jurisdiction, and getting around that with a VPN is a breach of those terms. Ontario regulates online gambling through the AGCO and iGaming Ontario. Stake has applied to the AGCO, but there's no licensed Stake site for Ontario yet.
• Alberta. Alberta launched its own regulated online market in 2026, overseen by the AGLC. Stake Canada received AGLC registration and planned a separate Alberta-licensed site. Code SHIMA and the Stake.com offer described here don't apply to Alberta residents, who should use the regulated Alberta site.

Accepted by Stake.com: BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

In those regions, Stake.com operates under a Curaçao licence, not a provincial one. That's a legal grey area: players generally aren't prosecuted, but they don't get the protection of a provincial regulator either. Minimum age is 19+ in most provinces and territories, and 18+ in Manitoba and Quebec. Rules can change, so check Stake's terms and your province before depositing.

FAQ

Is the Stake affiliate code the same as a referral code?
Yes, for players. "Affiliate code", "referral code", "invite code" and "sponsor code" all refer to the single "Code (Optional)" field on Stake's sign-up form.

What is the Stake affiliate code for Canada?
It's SHIMA. It links your new account to a 200% deposit bonus on a qualifying deposit and 3.5% rakeback on eligible bets, with terms shown on Stake's bonus screen.

Can I add an affiliate code after signing up?
Usually not. The code needs to go in during registration. Opening a second account to get it isn't allowed and can get you banned.

Do I need to join the affiliate program to use the code?
No. The affiliate program is for partners who promote Stake. Players just enter a code once at sign-up.

Does using an affiliate code cost me anything?
No. It doesn't reduce your winnings or give anyone access to your account.

Can I use the code if I live in Ontario or Alberta?
No. Stake.com isn't available in Ontario, and Alberta residents should use the regulated Alberta site, where this code and offer don't apply.

Conclusion

Whatever a site calls it, the Stake affiliate code is just the one optional code on the registration form, and for Canadians outside Ontario and Alberta that code is SHIMA. Enter it once, read the bonus terms before you deposit, and stick to one account. When you're ready, use the Claim button on this page to start registration.

Related Guides

• Ready to sign up? Start with the our Stake referral code guide.
• Stake Welcome Bonus Canada: 200% Deposit Bonus
• Stake Rakeback Explained: How 3.5% Comes Back
• Stake VIP Club Guide: Ranks, Thresholds and Rewards
• All Stake guides for Canada

Play responsibly

Decide on a limit before you play, and use Stake's deposit limits, loss and wager limits, cooling-off and self-exclusion settings. If gambling is causing problems, call your provincial helpline, such as Manitoba 1-800-463-1554 or Saskatchewan 1-800-306-6789. Our responsible gambling page lists every province's support line and other resources.

19+ (18+ in AB, MB, QC). Not available in Ontario or Alberta. Gambling can be addictive – play responsibly.