Let’s say you go to your favourite Twitch streamer only to find out they can no longer share their betting strategies or talk about their go-to casino sites. This might be due to the Twitch gambling ban that was implemented in 2022. But what does this entail? We explore the implications of these restrictions, including potential shifts in viewer habits and the impact on gambling addiction statistics.

• When Did Twitch Start to Ban Gambling Streamers?
• What Does The Twitch Gambling Ban Entail?
• The Future of Streaming on Twitch: What Can Change?
• Will The Gambling Ban Influence Addiction Statistics?
• Key Takeaways

When Did Twitch Start to Ban Gambling Streamers?

In September 2022, Twitch streamers shared with their audience that the platform may impose new stipulations on gambling that will dramatically change the world of broadcasting their betting activity.

The ban was enforced in October and did not involve prohibiting all casino games or platforms. However, Twitch gambling rules as we knew them are no longer the same. The enforcement of the ban also included a comprehensive review of existing gambling-related channels, resulting in the suspension or permanent banning of those that failed to comply with the new regulations.

Twitch implemented robust verification processes to ensure that only authorized and responsible gambling content creators could continue broadcasting within the platform’s guidelines. Additionally, the platform introduced mandatory disclaimers and responsible gambling messages to be displayed prominently during any permissible gambling-related streams.

What Does The Twitch Gambling Ban Entail?

It means that streamers are no longer allowed to provide links to specific betting companies. Here are all the prohibited activities:

• No promotion of specific gambling companies: Streamers are explicitly prohibited from providing direct links to specific betting companies within their streams or chat. This includes referral codes, promotional links, or any form of direct endorsement. Using logos, trademarks, or branding elements of banned betting sites in stream overlays or any visual content is also not allowed.
• Restrictions on content: Streamers cannot demonstrate or encourage gambling activities on banned platforms during their streams. This includes live betting, showcasing bets, or discussing strategies related to these sites.
• No mention of banned sites: Streamers must refrain from verbally mentioning or recommending banned gambling sites. This includes discussions about site features, bonuses, or personal experiences related to these platforms.

What sites have been banned from Twitch?

As of now, four websites cannot be accessed or promoted on Twitch:

• rollbit.com
• roobet.com
• stake.com
• duelbits.com

This indicates future verifications based on which more websites will be added to this list.

Restriction criteria for Twitch operators

• The quality and number of responsible gambling tools
• Whether the streamers promoting the given brand are either using or encouraging the use of VPNs to avoid location detection
• Whether the operator has a US gambling license or a similar license

What are the main Twitch gambling rules now?

1. You cannot share referral codes for online slots casinos via chat
2. Your banners cannot include links redirecting to online roulette casinos casinos
3. Verbally refer your chat participants to online casinos with dice games

Streamers are facing a total ban in these respects, as no free social versions of such websites are permitted. For now, poker, sports betting, and fantasy sports can be streamed via Twitch.

Pros & Cons of the ban

There are both upsides and downsides to the current ban.

Pros:

• Gambling addiction rates may decrease along with reduced exposure to casino games
• Online casino scams are less likely to take place
• More rigorous checks will be conducted to make sure that gambling streams take place under safe conditions

Cons:

• This may cause some streamers to lose their sole/main source of income
• Unsafe alternatives to the prohibited gambling types may be found
• Some creators may choose to stream gambling activities via other channels, where the platform may have less control over what happens

The Future of Streaming on Twitch: What Can Change?

Given that the Twitch gambling ban will likely decrease many streamers’ profits, it would be no surprise if some of them would move their content to another platform.

If the numbers won’t high, then competition will most likely decrease for the already popular gambling streamers on Twitch, and more room will be made for newcomers. Thus, the top-rated Twitch gambling streamers may be the first to change after this policy modification.

What else could change?

The future of Twitch is challenging to predict, as it’s just been proven how big of an influence the most popular streamers have on the company’s policies and overall activity.

Will The Gambling Ban Influence Addiction Statistics?

It’s not that likely, but it’s not impossible, either.

Here’s why moderation is needed:

• Gambling streams are already easy to access, as they’re available on many other platforms than Twitch
• If gamblers stop watching designated streams, they are very likely to replace this activity with another gambling-related activity
• Some gamblers are only able to limit their spending at top online casinos by watching someone else play in real-time, so this may increase the amounts of time and money they will dedicate to casino play
• Viewers may replace their preferred streamers with new ones who stream gambling forms that aren’t prohibited by the Twitch policy

However, the ban may motivate those aware of their addiction and seek a reason to abstain from gambling.

Underage gambling

Gambling among minors is not unheard of in the UK:

• According to a 2022 survey, 0.9% out of all participants aged 11 to 16 were identified as problem gamblers
• Furthermore, 31% of children participating in the same survey declared that they had spent money on gambling in the previous 12 months

Given these percentages, it’s worth noting that Twitch is easily accessible to children, who often lie about their age to access adult content online. Thus, restrictions enforced on Twitch gambling rules may create safer conditions for underage users, preventing them from taking up such practices.

Key Takeaways

The Twitch gambling ban seems wise since it may reduce gambling addiction numbers. However, the platform may face long-term consequences if streamers lose interest in it, even when the policy becomes unsustainable.

It’s yet to be seen whether this addition will bring positive change. In the meantime, users should still be careful with the gambling streams they watch and keep an eye on the platforms that Twitch adds to the banned list.