Twitch will ban some gambling, but sports betting and poker are still fair game

2025-04-27 05:19:19admin

Twitch is updating its gambling policy to ban some gambling websites. The change was announced amidst an ongoing gambling controversy surrounding UK Twitch streamer Sliker, aka Abraham Mohammed.

From Oct. 18, Twitch will no longer allow users to stream gambling websites that feature slots, roulette, or dice games, if the website doesn't hold a license in the U.S. or another jurisdiction that provides "sufficient consumer protection." The announcement even went so far as to name specific websites that users will no longer be permitted to stream.

Unfortunately, this new policy as currently outlined still leaves a lot of room for gambling websites to play in.

SEE ALSO: Online sports betting has never been easier and that's sorta terrifying

According to Twitch's announcement, not all gambling will be completely banned from the video streaming platform. Twitch has carved out some exemptions, stating that it "will continue to allow websites that focus on sports betting, fantasy sports, and poker." It is these types of sites that were Sliker's downfall.

Further, it's currently unclear exactly what Twitch considers "sufficient consumer protection," or which jurisdictions the video streaming platform believes offer this. It is also unclear where card games such as blackjack will fall, with Twitch having explicitly exempted poker from the new rules.

Twitch declined to comment further at this time, stating it will share further specifics regarding its new gambling policy soon.

Tweet may have been deleted

Over the weekend, Sliker admitted on Twitch that he had scammed fans and friends of at least $200,000 in order to fuel a gambling addiction, though other streamers claim the number is as high as $300,000. Sliker had told lenders he needed the cash due to issues with his bank or delays in Twitch processing payments, while in actuality he was gambling it away on Counter-Strike: Global Offensivegames.

Mashable Top Stories Stay connected with the hottest stories of the day and the latest entertainment news. Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Though he had begun with betting in-game skins — cosmetic items that change how your character looks in a game — it soon escalated to real money, draining income from his job, "all" his Twitch earnings, and then eventually other people's funds as well.

"Shit is dangerous," said Sliker during the 20 minute livestream. "This is the epitome of a fucking gambling addict."

Sliker stressed that he was "not a victim," but that he did not intend to scam people. Rather, he described a repeated cycle of borrowing money, losing it through gambling, then borrowing more from someone else and gambling it in the hopes that he could win enough to cover his debts.

Tweet may have been deleted

In response to Sliker's situation, high-profile Twitch creators such as Pokimane (Imane Anys) and Devin Nash called upon Twitch to take action against gambling, and even began organising a strike. Streamers xQc (Félix Lengyel) and Ludwig Ahgren also committed to helping repay victims.