American streaming company Twitch recently made history by banning gambling streams for offshore companies such as Stake and Roobet. While this is a good start, the company should do more to protect customers.
Twitch became a major platform through fan-favourite streamers such as Ninja and Myth playing popular video games like League of Legends, Fortnite and Call of Duty.
In its policy update, Twitch stated that the driving factor behind the decision is to protect its users from potential harm caused by gambling. Despite the gesture, the company continues to allow American gambling streams and profits from them.
Gambling is one of the most popular categories of content on Twitch. Some of the most influential streamers have partaken, including xQc and Tyler Faraz “Trainwreck” Niknam, who were sponsored by offshore gambling sites. These streamers were making up to $1 million a month.
In its official statement, Twitch says it’s only prohibiting games from sites that aren’t
licensed by the U.S. or “other jurisdictions that provide consumer protection.”
Gambling streams are still allowed as long as they’re officially licensed. Approximately 350 million people worldwide have gambling addictions, and Twitch’s half-sent approach does not truly protect its customers.
While Twitch might say that it wants to protect consumers, allowing licensed gambling platforms and sports betting makes the decision seem redundant.
It is clear that many Twitch users face gambling addiction. The decision comes right after popular U.K.-based streamer Silker admitted to stealing from friends and viewers a total $200,000, which he claimed was the result of a gambling addiction that began with the popular game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
If Twitch wants to truly protect people from the serious risk of gambling addictions,
then gambling must be banned from Twitch entirely.
The platform is already making an incredible amount of money and has millions of people watching without the need for gambling.
Gaming and other types of streaming that don’t involve gambling was the website’s claim to fame. As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
[Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin/Unsplash]
