Why Streamers Still Promote Illegal Casinos After Twitch’s Ban

Despite Twitch's ban on sponsored gambling content, some streamers continue to flaunt the rules, driven by their relentless greed. This behaviour is especially evident among streamers promoting illegal casinos, who seem more concerned with their own profits than adhering to the platform's guidelines or considering the potential harm to their audiences.

Recent reports indicate that at least 120 Twitch accounts, many of which stream popular games like Counter-Strike, are facing potential bans. These accounts have been accused of promoting gambling products through endorsement deals, despite Twitch's clear prohibition of such content. Twitch initially suspended these types of partnerships on October 18, 2022, a move that sparked outrage among top streamers like Trainwreckstv and xQc. Both of these streamers ultimately left Twitch for the rival platform Kick, which allows gambling content.

**Counter-Strike and the Persistent Problem of Skin Gambling**

The 120 accounts under scrutiny by Twitch have reportedly been involved in promoting illegal skin gambling sites. These sites use Counter-Strike cosmetic items as their main currency, exploiting the vibrant economy surrounding these skins. While these sites claim that skins hold no real monetary value—especially after Valve, the developer behind Counter-Strike, cracked down on the trade—they are still considered by many, including Twitch, to be an illegal form of gambling.

Twitch has made its stance clear: skin gambling is prohibited on the platform. Despite this, many streamers continue to promote these illegal operations, driven by lucrative endorsement deals. This defiance isn't just about maintaining a steady stream of income—it's about greed. These streamers are willing to risk their accounts and reputations for the chance to earn easy money from illegal gambling operators.

The Ongoing Battle Against Illegal Gambling on Twitch

Twitch's ban on gambling content has not eradicated the problem. While the platform is diligent in banning accounts caught promoting illegal gambling, it struggles to catch every offender. Many smaller streamers slip under the radar, continuing to promote illegal casinos without facing immediate consequences. These streamers are banking on their low profile to evade detection, all while cashing in on the lucrative, albeit illegal, partnerships.

Valve, too, has faced significant legal challenges regarding skin gambling, including class-action lawsuits accusing the company of enabling underage gambling. Despite these efforts to curb the practice, illegal gambling sites using skins as currency continue to thrive. These operations have proven resilient, managing to circumvent both Valve's and Twitch's restrictions.

The continued promotion of illegal casinos on Twitch underscores a troubling reality: many streamers prioritise profit over ethics. As long as there's money to be made, some streamers will undoubtedly continue to endorse illegal gambling, regardless of the rules. This greed-driven behaviour highlights the challenges Twitch faces in fully eradicating illegal gambling from its platform.