Community-driven
Human Referee
Watch live matches, confirm results, and earn a fee for every match you officiate. No shifts, no minimums, no special equipment.
What is a Human Referee?
Human referees are verified PlayStake community members who watch live matches and confirm the outcome is legitimate. While the AI Referee handles the majority of matches automatically, human referees are available for games and situations where live judgement matters.
You are not making rulings on complex edge cases from scratch. The match gives you everything you need: a live spectator view, the game state, and both players' actions. Your job is to confirm what you saw.
How it works, step by step
Sign up as a referee
Create your PlayStake account, connect Kick, complete identity verification, and apply from the Referee Hub.
Receive a match notification
When a staked match starts that needs a human referee, all opted-in referees get a notification. The first to accept takes the match.
Open the spectator view
You are given read-only access to the live game. Watch every move, score, and event as it happens in real time.
Confirm the result
When the match ends, confirm the winner. If something looks wrong — a disconnect, a rule dispute, suspicious behaviour — flag it instead.
Get paid
Your referee fee is automatically credited to your PlayStake wallet after settlement. Withdraw it any time through the standard process.
What you actually do
Once you accept a match, you are given a spectator link. Open it and you will see the game in real time, exactly as the players see it, but without any controls. You watch. You do not interfere.
When the match ends, a confirmation prompt appears. If the result looks correct, confirm it. The system will immediately process settlement. If something does not look right, you flag the match. A full review is triggered and funds remain in escrow until it is resolved.
- Read-only spectator view — you cannot affect the game
- One-tap confirm or flag when match ends
- Optional notes field if you flag a dispute
- Full match replay available for review
How earnings work
Every match you successfully referee earns you a fee. The fee is taken from the platform fee — not from the players. Players never pay extra because a human referee is assigned. You are paid by PlayStake, not by either player.
Fees are credited to your PlayStake wallet automatically after settlement. The exact amount is shown before you accept each match, so you always know what you are earning. There are no payment delays — once the match settles, the fee is yours.
Withdraw your earnings any time through the standard wallet withdrawal process. No minimum balance required.
Handling disputes
If something looks wrong during a match — a suspicious disconnect, a player claiming a rule was broken, an outcome that does not match what you saw — flag it immediately. Do not guess or feel pressured to confirm.
When you flag a match, it enters formal dispute review. The PlayStake team reviews the full event log, replay footage, and your notes. Both players are notified. The match is held until a decision is made.
Your flag is taken seriously. You are the last line of defence before settlement. If in doubt, flag it.
How to qualify
Any verified PlayStake user can apply to become a referee. There are no formal qualifications, no equipment requirements beyond a stable internet connection, and no minimum hours.
The only requirements are a completed identity verification, a working knowledge of the games you want to referee, and a good standing on the platform (no active bans or unresolved disputes).
- Completed PlayStake identity verification
- Familiarity with the game rules
- Stable internet connection
- Good platform standing
Frequently asked questions
How much do I earn per match?
The referee receives 10% of the platform fee, not 10% of the players’ pot. The amount depends on the stake and game fee and is shown with the match.
Can I referee any game?
You can referee any game you have a working knowledge of. When you sign up, you select which games you are comfortable officiating. You will only be offered matches for those games.
What if I make a wrong call?
Either player can file a dispute. If your decision is overturned on review, the match outcome is corrected and your referee record is updated. Repeated incorrect calls may result in suspension from the programme. PlayStake reviews all disputes fairly.
How many matches can I referee?
There is no minimum or maximum. You can accept as many or as few matches as you like. You are never penalised for not accepting a match.
Ready to start earning?
Sign up, opt in to the referee programme, and start picking up matches today.
Open Referee Hub