Twitch will ban some gambling, but sports betting and poker are still fair game

[NelsonG]

Twitch is updating its gambling policy to ban some gambling websites. The change was announced amidst an ongoing gambling controversy surrounding UK Twitch streamer Sliker, aka Abraham Mohammed.

From Oct. 18, Twitch will no longer allow users to stream gambling websites that feature slots, roulette, or dice games, if the website doesn't hold a license in the U.S. or another jurisdiction that provides "sufficient consumer protection." The announcement even went so far as to name specific websites that users will no longer be permitted to stream. 

Unfortunately, this new policy as currently outlined still leaves a lot of room for gambling websites to play in.

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SEE ALSO: Online sports betting has never been easier and that's sorta terrifying

According to Twitch's announcement, not all gambling will be completely banned from the video streaming platform. Twitch has carved out some exemptions, stating that it "will continue to allow websites that focus on sports betting, fantasy sports, and poker." It is these types of sites that were Sliker's downfall.

Further, it's currently unclear exactly what Twitch considers "sufficient consumer protection," or which jurisdictions the video streaming platform believes offer this. It is also unclear where card games such as blackjack will fall, with Twitch having explicitly exempted poker from the new rules. 

Twitch declined to comment further at this time, stating it will share further specifics regarding its new gambling policy soon.

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Over the weekend, Sliker admitted on Twitch that he had scammed fans and friends of at least $200,000 in order to fuel a gambling addiction, though other streamers claim the number is as high as $300,000. Sliker had told lenders he needed the cash due to issues with his bank or delays in Twitch processing payments, while in actuality he was gambling it away on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive games. 

Though he had begun with betting in-game skins — cosmetic items that change how your character looks in a game — it soon escalated to real money, draining income from his job, "all" his Twitch earnings, and then eventually other people's funds as well.

"Shit is dangerous," said Sliker during the 20 minute livestream. "This is the epitome of a fucking gambling addict."

Sliker stressed that he was "not a victim," but that he did not intend to scam people. Rather, he described a repeated cycle of borrowing money, losing it through gambling, then borrowing more from someone else and gambling it in the hopes that he could win enough to cover his debts.

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In response to Sliker's situation, high-profile Twitch creators such as Pokimane (Imane Anys) and Devin Nash called upon Twitch to take action against gambling, and even began organising a strike. Streamers xQc (Félix Lengyel) and Ludwig Ahgren also committed to helping repay victims.

As such, some creators received Twitch's new policy announcement as a win. However, though Nash considers it "a step in the right direction," he noted it is still not enough.

"There are hopefully some positives that can come from this," said Nash in a Twitter thread. "But what we were fighting for was a ban on luck-based gambling because it is objectively harmful to the website and its users. This is not it. Luck-based gambling will still be alive and well on the website on October 18th… We must hold Twitch accountable as a platform to do the right thing, since they only seem to respond to extraordinary pressure."

If you struggle with compulsive gambling, call the 24/7 National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 for free, confidential support. You can also access the National Council on Problem Gambling's website for more help and information, as well as a list of international resources.

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[Goretexeloh]

It seems to me that the rules on twitch were created only to make it convenient for developers and owners of this platform. They do not pursue any moral values or rules and do everything specifically to earn as much money as possible. And all the new rules they make are complete nonsense, and they absolutely don't care at all. For example, I like to play ilman rekisteröintiä kasinot, and that someone should forbid me to stream it? If a person wants to spend all his money on gambling, he will do it anyway, without having to watch my stream.

Edited December 20, 2022 by Goretexeloh

[adysons]

I'm glad they're still allowing sports betting and poker as those are two of my favorite activities to do online. I'm sure there will be some people who are disappointed by the ban on gambling, but it's understandable why Twitch would want to make sure their platform remains a safe and fun environment for everyone.

[graceshen]

It's great to see Twitch taking some action here and tightening up the policy on gambling. It's crucial to ensure that users are protected from scams and other dangerous gambling practices, while still allowing people to engage in activities like sports betting and poker, which can still provide fun and entertainment without the same level of risk. We'll have to wait and see what other regulations Twitch puts in place, but for now this is a step in the right direction. However, fans of gambling always have the opportunity to try alternative resources and reliable casinos that offer generous bonuses, such as Online-Casino Schweiz mit 100% Welcome Bonus, and a wide variety of games. So take your chance to have fun and expand your gaming experience.

Edited February 8, 2023 by graceshen

[yakabdullahi]

I totally get where you're coming from - streaming platforms have become a huge deal lately, and they're not just for gaming anymore. There are so many different types of content available now, including streaming gambling. But just because one platform bans it, doesn't mean it's gone for good. There are plenty of other platforms out there that still allow it. Personally, I'm not really into streaming gambling, but I do enjoy placing a bet every now and then. That's why I use w88 for all of my betting and gambling needs. It's a great platform that's super easy to use, and they offer all sorts of different games and betting options.

[anasibrah]

It's unfortunate to hear about Sliker's situation and how he ended up scamming people to fuel his addiction. That's a tough spot to be in. Thankfully, high-profile Twitch creators like Pokimane, Devin Nash, xQc, and Ludwig Ahgren stepped up and called for action against gambling. It's great to see people supporting each other.
Now, since this thread is a year old, I'm curious to know how Twitch has further refined their gambling policy and if they've addressed the concerns raised by the community. Keeping up with these developments is important to ensure the platform continues to grow responsibly.
Personally, I wanna add that if you wanna make money, check out this casino http://www.milano2018.com/. It's one of the best online casinos I know that allows making good money.

Edited June 14, 2023 by anasibrah