Twitch to prohibit certain gambling sites in new policy change

Streamers will no longer be able to stream slots, roulette, or dice games that aren't licenced in the US or other regions.

Image via Twitch
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Updated on September 21, 2022 at 8:22 p.m. PT with a statement from StreamElement's CEO, Gil Hirsch.

Gambling and video games have a bit of an uneasy connection with one another. Both utilize ways to get players addicted and both can offer a chance at earning something great if the player is happy to hand over their cash. Twitch, one of video gaming’s largest streaming platforms, is now taking a harder stance on streaming gambling in new rules set to go into effect on October 18.

In a statement on September 20, 2022, Twitch laid out the new rules it would be enforcing on October 18, 2022. The streaming of gambling sites will be prohibited, including slots, roulette, or dice games that “aren’t licenced either in the U.S. or other jurisdictions that provide sufficient consumer protection.” The full statement can be read in the Twitter embed below.

The statement notes a few sites in particular, including Stake.com, Rollbit.com, Duelbits.com, and Roobet.com but also notes that this list may expand as the team finds others. The decision to prohibit the streaming of gambling falls in-line with Twitch’s own rules against sharing links or referral codes to similar gambling sites.

Image shows the StreamElements State of the Stream reports' Cateogry section with Slots among the Top 10

Source: StreamElements

The StreamElements State of the Stream report was released just recently. This report showed that Twitch had some 1.86 billion hours watched in August, with one of its top 10 most streamed categories being Slots, with 51 million hours watched. These new changes to Twitch’s policy will likely have a direct impact on these statistics but it’s all in the name of consumer protection.

"Since April, the Slots category on Twitch has grown month-over-month soaring from 31M hours watched to over 50M hours watched in August while increasing 66% year-over-year," said StreamElements' CEO Gil Hirsch in a statement. "During this 5 month period it has also solidified its place in Twitch's top 10 chart signifying that it has gone from a novelty to a mainstay for streamers and viewers alike."

It’s worth noting that these policy changes look to only apply to purely chance-based gambling sites. Those that focus on sports betting, fantasy sports, and poker have dodge the proverbial bullet. We’ll be sure to keep you up to date as these changes come in on October 18.

Guides Editor

Hailing from the land down under, Sam Chandler brings a bit of the southern hemisphere flair to his work. After bouncing round a few universities, securing a bachelor degree, and entering the video game industry, he's found his new family here at Shacknews as a Guides Editor. There's nothing he loves more than crafting a guide that will help someone. If you need help with a guide, or notice something not quite right, you can message him on X: @SamuelChandler 

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 20, 2022 5:35 PM

    Sam Chandler posted a new article, Twitch to prohibit certain gambling sites in new policy change

    • reply
      September 20, 2022 5:55 PM

      Opening loot boxes on stream still totally fine though

    • reply
      September 20, 2022 6:22 PM

      I'm legitimately surprised at how long this took. It seemed so obvious that all the gambling scam websites were going to attract unwanted attention for Amazon and weren't really doing much for Twitch revenue.

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        September 20, 2022 6:31 PM

        Unclear if he'll still be allowed to do it under these new rules but https://www.twitch.tv/trainwreckstv is extremely popular and has over 2 million followers so it's not necessarily just a drop in the bucket from the revenue side, but it also probably shouldn't really be a main part of the Twitch brand. I also think that the skimpy clothed women shouldn't really be part of the Twitch brand either, though. There are tons of places to get porn or softcore. Why do I need to wade through that when I'm going to Twitch to watch some video games?

      • reply
        September 20, 2022 8:46 PM

        It only happened now because the top streamers were complaining about it after a streamer named Sliker developed a gambling addiction and was scamming his viewers and other streamers for money to gamble with.

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      December 28, 2022 4:58 PM

      Since last year I heard rumors that Twitch is going to ban certain gaming sites in a new policy change, unfortunately this happened and I understand the pain and great disappointment of thousands of popular streamers for whom it was one of the main sources of income. But it's important to learn to get used to it and live in the new realities, look for alternative sites to develop or go to the field of other games.
      Honestly, I do not think that such a decision Twitch can be called logical and very important, but for me this does not hit, so I will not cry)) although I play gambling recently very actively. And this story began since lockdowns in 2020, it was hard to find a better entertainment than gambling, besides it was a great way to meet and regularly communicate with people from around the world, and was an additional opportunity to earn that way.
      And in many thanks to Twitch my skills in online casinos pumped daily) I recommend everyone to try your forces in such games without necessarily risking your own money. I can also recommend you site LeafletCasino where I often read reviews about top rated and verified gambling websites in Canada in 2022, it really is very convenient and saves me a lot of time, because these materials are collected all the important for me criteria.
      As for streaming, I often see such broadcasts on YouTube, I think it's time to conquer the top)

    • reply
      December 25, 2023 11:54 PM

      This Twitch gambling policy update is a significant step towards fostering a responsible streaming environment. It's great to see platforms taking measures to ensure the well-being of both streamers and viewers. Speaking of Twitch, I recently came across a compelling article on the top female Twitch streamers in 2022 at https://esports-news.co.uk/2022/06/12/5-top-female-twitch-streamers-in-2022/.It's a captivating read that introduces readers to some incredibly talented and influential female creators who are making waves in the streaming landscape. As Twitch evolves and refines its policies, it's equally crucial to shine a spotlight on the diverse voices that enrich the platform. This article serves as a fantastic guide for those looking to explore and support the incredible work of female streamers on Twitch.

    • reply
      May 14, 2024 3:02 AM

      This update from Twitch is a significant step towards ensuring a safer and more responsible streaming environment. Restricting unlicensed gambling sites is a move that many users have been hoping for. It's great to see that Twitch is listening to its community and taking action to protect viewers from potential risks. By the way, if you're looking for a safe and reliable platform to enjoy responsible gaming, check out https://91club.co/ . They offer a wide range of games and ensure a secure and fair gaming experience. It's a great alternative for those who want to enjoy gaming without the concerns associated with unlicensed sites.

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