The same stakes for the old ladies (8)
I believe the answer is:
dowagers
'ladies' is the definition.
(I know this)
'the same stakes' is the wordplay.
'the same' becomes 'do' (abbreviation for ditto).
'stakes' becomes 'wagers' ('wager' can be a synonym of 'stake').
'do'+'wagers'='DOWAGERS'
'for the old' is the link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dowagers that I've seen before include "Imposing old ladies" , "Dignified elderly women, may be titled" , "Ward goes (anag.)" , "Widows, with title or property from deceased husbands" .)