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Twitch Bans Gambling Streamers: Why? And What Does It Mean?
October 4, 2022
Twitch Bans Gambling Streamers: Why? And What Does It Mean?
October 4, 2022
Are Online Gambling Streamers Really Banned From Twitch? Let’s Dig a Little Deeper!
Surely you’ve heard about the popular live-streaming platform called Twitch – the Amazon-owned powerhouse that sees millions of users logging on each day? Well, a new scandal has unfolded – one that will see the streaming of casino games (specifically slots, roulette, and dice games) from unlicensed gambling sites in the US banned on the platform.
However, there’s more to it than this, as not all forms of online gambling are being given the boot. And what does this mean for all those popular streamers promoting casino content, the platform itself, and all the users who feel that this move is yet another unnecessary constraint on their right to access age-appropriate content online? Let’s dig up the dirt!
How casino streaming works on Twitch
Twitch is an interactive online streaming platform that allows users to live-stream content (mainly gaming, IRL, music, and creative content) for the site’s visitors to view. Casino gaming content has been available to view on the platform for several years now – of course, with many mixed views and opinions from the site’s users as well as its streamers.
But why do these popular streamers choose to broadcast their casino gaming activity? It’s because online casinos pay them to – simple. Of course, this started out with casino gaming enthusiasts simply just streaming online while they play, but casino content quickly caught on and has become one of the most popular genres available on the site – especially slots.
Streamers would post their own referral links to the casino site on their channel, which directs users to the casino’s site with the streamers either receiving a commission on the user’s gaming activity on said sites, or they would earn a fixed monthly salary for their efforts.
In most cases, the live streaming of casino gaming content would see streamers visit a casino, exchange real money or cryptocurrency for casino credit, and start betting on the casino’s games as a form of promoting the casino. Sounds like a great job, doesn’t it?
Well, it all seems to be coming to an end, as Twitch recently announced that from the 18th of October, it would prohibit content that included “slots, roulette, or dice games that aren’t licensed either in the U.S. or other jurisdictions that provide sufficient consumer protection.” But why?
How did this casino content ban come about?
Okay, so one of the main reasons why gambling content is soon to be banned from Twitch, is said to be the concern of underage users viewing and acting on the content they view on the platform. But, surely there is a way around this – age restrictions put in place for certain content, perhaps?
Okay, maybe something a little more elaborate than the picture above, but you get the picture. Twitch stated that nearly 75% of its viewers are between the ages of 16 and 34, and according to the National Center for Responsible Gaming, about 6 to 9 percent of the youth struggle with gambling addiction, compared to only 1% of adults.
But that’s actually NOT the reason why this looming ban on gambling content has come about – not the reason that forced Twitch to pull this bold move, at least.
One popular casino streamer known as ‘Sliker’ on the Twitch platform, had reportedly scammed his followers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, leading to some of the site’s top influencers such as ‘Pokimane’ threatening to boycott Twitch unless gambling content takes a hike.
Of course, the other side of the spectrum had a lot to say about this too, with a renowned gambling streamer/enthusiast, ‘Trainwreck’, voicing his opinion about the matter in a very… Uhm… let’s just say he sounded SUPER upset.
However, apart from his creative use of the English language, Trainwreck did make a very good point. Let’s backtrack really quick and look at Twitch’s official Twitter post that caused the uproar:
Did you notice that bit about “We will continue to allow websites that focus on sports betting, fantasy sports, and poker,”? So, at this point, it’s difficult to say what’s what. Of course, Sliker (the accused scammer on Twitch) has definitely committed a serious offense.
However, is this enough to constitute an industry-wide ban on Twitch? And why do sports betting and Poker get to stay in the game? Hey, don’t get us wrong – we love our poker games. But something does smell a little fishy here, and it seems that Twitch has an itch that only sports betting can scratch.
But what does this MEAN?!
Well, only time will tell, for now. It’s hard to say what the actual reason behind the ban could be – is Twitch giving in to the pressure imposed by other streamers who are opposed to online gambling, or could there be legal repercussions down the line that could see Twitch fall through the gaps of unlicensed and uncensored content that may influence its viewers in a negative way?
The truth is (in our opinion, at least) that the streaming of casino content and gambling-related entertainment will continue as long as there are viewers to watch, and streamers to broadcast it. It might not happen on Twitch, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Now go ahead and enjoy some 5-star casino entertainment in our best casino games at Punt – you might as well have some fun amidst all this chaos.
