Amazon-owned streaming platform Twitch has implemented a ban on content featuring gambling referral codes and links.
In a statement, the platform explained it was introducing the ban to prevent scams and harms “created by questionable gambling services that sponsor content.”
Effective immediately, links and referral codes for sites offering dice, roulette, or slots, are prohibited across the platform, and Twitch says it will be monitoring content and introducing further updates if necessary.
Over the past year or so, Twitch has become an important platform for gambling streamers and affiliates, like Tyler “Trainwrecks” Niknam, who promotes an online casino with a Curaçao license, and has amassed an impressive 1.5m subscribers.
However, in the past few months, casino affiliates using Twitch have come under increasing scrutiny, with allegations of fraud and other illegal practices – for example, using fake balances to gamble and give the impression of big wins.
Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the US-based National Council on Problem Gambling, said: “Twitch has taken a good first step to help protect young and vulnerable users by preventing the sharing of links to gambling websites. However, much more must be done. Everybody should be concerned that Twitch still allows the broadcast of unregulated and illegal gambling and that sites like Stake and Roobet pay popular streamers to play the casino games on their channels. It is incumbent on Twitch to focus on the health of their users, especially young people who are susceptible to developing a gambling addiction thanks to what they are exposed to in the streaming platform.”
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