Some of the biggest Twitch streamers have made a ton of money out of paid gambling content, which caused a lot of controversy. Now Twitch is finally banning gambling from their platform.
Gambling has been a hot topic on Twitch for a long time now. Gambling streams are among the most successful content on the platform, which a lot of people have been critical of for years. Twitch has posted a statement on Twitter today, regarding the long ongoing controversy of gambling streams. After several streamers threatened to go on strike if nothing changes, Twitch finally reacted.
Twitch Will Ban Gambling Sites On Their Platform
As a response to several very successful streamers threatening a strike, Twitch has announced a new gambling policy, that will take action on October 18, 2022.
An update on gambling on Twitch. pic.twitter.com/lckNTY9Edo
— Twitch (@Twitch) September 20, 2022
The new update will "prohibit streaming of gambling sites that include slots, roulette, or dice games". But fans are still not satisfied with Twitch's response and want Twitch to deal with gambling streams more strictly, since the new policy won't prohibit all sorts of gambling like CS:GO gambling or sports betting.
Gambling Content On Twitch: A Major Danger
Gambling content in Twitch has always been a widely debated topic within Twitch streamers and their communities. Gambling is highly addictive and can lead to financial problems, both mental and physical health problems and even imprisonment. Gambling streams have been trending on Twitch for some time now, but recent events have caused other streamers to threaten Twitch with a strike.
Well known gambling streamers like xQc, Trainwrecks, and Adin Ross are getting paid a fortune to stream on gambling websites and thereby making gambling very accessible for their underage viewers. Twitch is available to anyone of any age. Though some might say that creating a Twitch account at the age of 13 is only allowed with parental consent and thereby it's the parents' responsibility... But even that is not entirely true because Twitch streams can even be watched without creating an account, therefore even a 10-year-old could be exposed to gambling content.
Recently, the gambling streamer ItsSliker confessed about scamming hundreds of his fans over the years and gaining over 300,000€, which he spent on CS:GO gambling. Successful and influential streamers like Pokimane and Mizkif have taken action against dangerous gambling content and threatened with going on a strike, if Twitch wouldn't take action. Now it has and we will have to see how it will affect things on the platform.
What do you think about Twitch's response, is it unreasonable? Or should they do even more? Feel free to let us know!