A platform update means Twitch prohibits casino referrals. Starting from 17 August, all referral codes and links must be removed. (Image by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash)
We can confirm that Twitch prohibits casino referrals via codes or links as the saga behind underage streamers accessing gambling content on the streaming site continues.
Twitch, the popular live streaming service, has banned users from sharing links to websites that offer roulette, slots, and dice games. No mention of poker or blackjack, but the assumption is that when Twitch prohibits casino referral links, this will apply to all gambling.
Creators and users of the platform have no later than August 17th to take out referral codes and links from their channels. Failure to do this will result in sanctions from the service. Twitch further stated that it would keep monitoring how other content related to gambling is shared on its platforms and would make adjustments to its rules if required.
In a creator update, Twitch stated that: “To avert scams and harms that stem from questionable services sponsoring content on Twitch, we will prohibit the sharing of referral codes or links to websites that offer dice games, roulette, and slots”.
What is Twitch, and Why does this Information Matter?
Twitch is one of the most famous names when it comes to streaming videos. The company offers gamers a platform to stream their gameplay live while also letting them interact with their followers using a chat window. This company was developed in 2011 and has experienced tremendous growth ever since. Every month, it boasts of over a 100million unique visitors and has more than 1million registered streamers.
What is the Implication of the Ban?
Many online gambling companies observed the tremendous opportunity offered by Twitch and started to take advantage. It became possible for many viewers to watch others stream online casino gameplay to the world. This was an excellent development for online gambling platforms, including those offering live dealer games. People were able to come together as one and speak about the events of the game in real-time. For example, popular titles like Crazy Time were ranking as some of the most viewed games.
Content creators and users were allowed to post links to websites that offered the streamed live casino games like Baccarat, Poker, etc. they were streaming, with many getting paid for sharing these links. Many online casinos, live casinos, and aggregators were able to take advantage of the offerings and show off their offerings. For instance, before this new development, you would have found referral codes for Casino Heroes, Casumo Casino, ComeOn Casino, among a ton of others.
The casinos stated above also host games from some of the leading game developers in the industry, like Microgaming, NetEnt, Play’n Go, etc. However, this new ban will undoubtedly come with many ripple effects. First, streamers will lose the regular stream of income from regularly recommending casinos and streaming games. What’s more, online casinos won’t have a way to advertise their live casino games and bonuses any longer. This will also mean reduced earnings for the online casino in question.
Lastly, since streaming casino games and placing referral codes on Twitch allowed players from every area of the world to gather and share insights, strategies, and ideas, this will also end. Now players will have to look for other alternative platforms to do this, which can be tricky since no streaming platform offers the same gathering and community Twitch offers. However, we believe the platform has done this after weighing all the options and considering its best interests.
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