Streaming platform Twitch will ban most gambling streams that focus on slot machines, roulette and dice games from October 18. Streams in which gambling on sports or fantasy sports occurs will remain permitted. Poker is not banned either.
Twitch’s new gambling policy applies only to gambling companies that are not registered in the United States “or other jurisdictions with adequate consumer protection.” Most of the gambling websites popular on the streaming platform are not. In the announcement mentions Twitch including Stake.com, Rollbit.com and Dualbits.com, some popular slot machine websites that will be banned from streams from October 18. Twitch states that in the long run, more gambling websites may be named that are no longer allowed to appear in streams.
The streaming platform is likely adjusting its gambling policy as some prominent streamers, including Pokimane, Mizkif, and DevinNash, threatened with a boycott during the holidays when gambling was not banned on streams. According to Nash broadcasting gambling streams is harmful to young viewers and ‘legitimate advertisers’. The reason for the protest is the scandal surrounding another streamer, Sliker, who defrauded viewers and fellow streamers for $200,000 to continue his gambling practices through Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. details Kotaku.
Until now, streaming gambling was allowed, but sharing links or referral codes to gambling websites has been done before restricted. This also only applies to websites ‘on which slot machines, roulette and dice games’ can be played: linking to websites that focus on sports betting or playing poker is therefore not explicitly prohibited.