Twitch bans gambling - and the streamers
Created: 09/21/2022, 13:30
By: Omer Kayali
Twitch is mainly used for gaming streams, but there is now a lot of other content as well.
© Jakub Porzycki/Imago
After long and clear criticism, Twitch is finally taking action against gambling and casino streams.
Well-known streamers praise this step.
It almost seems like a reaction to the latest issue of ZDF Magazine Royale.
Moderator Jan Böhmermann severely criticized twitch streamers like MontanaBlack, who advertise in-game purchases in games like "FIFA".
The so-called microtransactions and loot boxes in video games are often accused of being gambling mechanisms.
Videos on this topic are quite popular on Twitch – both with viewers and streamers.
Casino streams have been spreading for a while now, making no secret of the gambling shown.
After Twitch was heavily criticized for broadcasting this content, the portal is now taking action and banning it – albeit only partially at first.
Twitch Bans Broadcasting of Certain Sites from October
Beginning October 18, Twitch will ban streamers from broadcasting gambling sites featuring craps or slots that are not licensed in the US or do not provide adequate consumer protections.
The company names some providers of such sites on Twitter, including stake.com, rollbit.com, duelbits.com and roobet.com.
In the tweet, however, Twitch points out that other gambling providers could also be expelled from the platform.
No definitive end to casino streams on Twitch
Several well-known streamers from Germany support this step, including PietSmiet or Domtendo.
However, this is not a general ban on casino streams.
Only unlicensed sites are affected.
One of the biggest streamers in Germany, HandOfBlood, put it in a nutshell in his tweet:
The controversial casino streams could therefore continue to take place if the streamers are looking for a legal and licensed provider.
Still, it's an important step for Twitch that will hopefully bring more control over the content it broadcasts.
