Gambling Video Streams Are Booming. What Is the Impact?
Published: July 18, 2022
Gambling entertainment has moved far beyond just poker. Gambling streams have recently risen in popularity on video game streaming platforms like Twitch, where content creators play slots and other gambling games for audiences of hundreds of thousands of people in exchange for sponsorships.
Some streamers have played in online cryptocurrency casinos that are outside the United States and don’t follow the same responsible gambling regulations. According to Wired, they stream videos of themselves playing in those casinos to game streaming web sites. To learn more about crypto casinos, read this recent blog post.
“While these sites block the U.S., they do not prevent access from people within the U.S.,” Jeff Ifrah, an attorney who specializes in online gambling law, told Wired.
Discussions on the rise of Twitch and other video game streaming platforms has been of particular interest to responsible gaming advocates because many streams and online casinos don’t encourage gamblers to play responsibly, and with Twitch’s popularity with youth there is a concern of children being exposed as well. With online games and streams expected to keep increasing in popularity, a petition has been created calling on advertisers to pressure Twitch to ban gambling streams altogether.
People of all ages play online games and watch online streams, but online gaming can become addictive and lead to anxiety and stress. When you play games, follow these tips to help keep your play fun:
- Spend only what you can afford to lose.
- Limit the time spent playing per day.
- Prioritize your needs — like sleeping, eating, and socializing — before gaming.
To find more tips about responsible gaming and gambling habits and take a two-minute quiz to gauge your risk for problem gambling, visit BeforeYouBet.org.
If you or someone you know might be struggling with a problem with gambling, help is available 24/7 by making the call to the free, confidential helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or by texting 4HOPE to 741741.