Twitch to change rules on gambling following pressure from streamers

Following a short campaign by some prominent streamers against the presence of gambling on the platform, Twitch has outlined an upcoming revision to its rules surrounding the practice.

From October onwards, several forms of speculation will no longer be allowed to be performed on stream, though there are a few noteworthy exceptions to the new rules.

Despite this, many are still celebrating Twitch’s intervention in the matter as a positive development.

How do you feel about Twitch’s current stance on gambling?

In its announcement, which was posted to Twitter, Twitch explained: “While we prohibit sharing links or referral codes to all sites that include slots, roulette, or dice games, we’ve seen some people circumvent those rules and expose our community to harm.”

This trend will be combated by a new policy set to come into force on October 18, which will: “prohibit streaming of gambling sites that include slots, roulette, or dice games that aren’t licensed either in the US or other jurisdictions that provide sufficient consumer protection.”

However, games like poker, sports betting and fantasy sports will remain fair game to stream under the new rules, meaning the practice of gambling isn’t being completely eradicated on the platform.

Despite this, many big streamers have reacted positively to the news, with Pokimane, who has recently been vocal in her disdain for gambling on Twitch, tweeting: “We did it y’all. Public pressure, tweets, raising awareness, it all matters.”

While not having been directly involved in the debate prior to the announcement, Fortnite legend Ninja also voiced his approval of the new rules, retweeting the announcement and commenting: “Big step in the right direction.”

Though, approval for the changes wasn’t universal, with some streamers who’ve broadcast the types of gambling now set to be outlawed expressing their disapproval of it being targeted ahead of other issues, such as Adin Ross, who tweeted: “No more gambling on twitch but at least we can see a girl getting (expletive) on stream once a week!”

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