Gambling games are another type of entertainment content that always enjoys great popularity on streaming services. There is often much debate and controversy surrounding gambling sections. On the one hand, there is a consistent demand from viewers for such broadcasts, but on the other hand, ethical and legal questions are being raised. Many streaming services try to maintain their gambling categories while placing various restrictions on them. For example, they block them for underage users, prohibit the publication of advertisements and referral links, and sometimes even disable them for certain countries.
In 2022, Twitch's strict policy regarding gambling broadcasts led to some streamers being forced to switch platforms. This played a significant role in the emergence of Kick, a young and ambitious streaming platform with much more lenient rules for content creators. It is currently one of the leaders in popularity.
Broadcasts in the Slots & Casino categories and similar ones accumulate millions of Hours Watched and draw tens of thousands of viewers. In this article, we have gathered the most popular gambling channels for the first half of 2023.
Most popular gambling live streaming channels — H1 2023
Swedish streamer Roshtein became the most popular gambling streamer in the first half of 2023. In six months, his channel on Kick accumulated approximately 13.7 million Hours Watched, which is 2.5 times more than his closest competitor. Interestingly, Roshtein streamed virtual casinos and gambling games on both Twitch and Kick until the end of May, and made the full switch to the new platform in the summer.
SlotsMarko, the most popular streamer in the Slots & Casino category on Twitch, takes second place in the top list. In the first half of the year, this channel gained nearly 5.5 million HW. SlotsMarko is the clear leader in terms of Airtime, with broadcasts on his channel practically running around the clock. It is worth noting that he stopped hosting streams altogether after July 4.
Streamer classybeef is ranked third with a total of 4.8 million HW. He also streams almost daily, and his most popular stream gathered over 39.3K Peak Viewers.
Trainwreckstv, mellstroy111, CasinoDaddy, syztmz, adinross, xposed, and SkipNhO are also included in the Top 10. It's worth noting that 7 out of the top 10 streamers are on Kick, while Twitch only has 3 representatives in the ranking. It is indicative that the majority of Kick streamers previously streamed on Twitch but eventually switched platforms. It can be said that there is a migration of streamers of this specific category.
Gambling categories viewership dynamics on Twitch and Kick
Kick almost caught up Twitch
In terms of audience reach, Twitch significantly outperforms Kick, but both platforms currently demonstrate very similar figures in terms of gambling streams. It is interesting to track the dynamics: for several consecutive months, Hours Watched in the Slots and Virtual Casino categories have been declining on Twitch. At the same time, Kick shows steady growth in this metric.
There are several reasons for this downward trend on Twitch. Firstly, the tightening of rules for broadcasts in the mentioned categories. The Twitch administration has expanded the list of virtual casinos and gambling websites that streamers are prohibited from collaborating with (all casinos must have certain licenses). Secondly, several popular channels have been blocked recently due to platform rule violations, bot manipulation, etc. Lastly, there have been local reasons: the volume of Russian-speaking gambling broadcasts on Twitch has decreased from 10.4 million to 1.8 million Hours Watched per month (-82%) — this is due to stricter internal laws in the country regarding the distribution of gambling content. In the end, with each passing month, more and more gambling streamers are transitioning from Twitch to Kick, where a "more welcoming environment" has been created for them.
Why are streamers playing slots?
Streamers playing slots is a relatively recent trend in online content creation and entertainment. It involves individuals, often popular influencers or content creators, broadcasting themselves playing online slot machine games on platforms such as Twitch or YouTube. There are a few reasons why this phenomenon has gained traction:
Slot games, with their colorful visuals, sounds, and anticipation of potential big wins, can be visually appealing and exciting to watch. Viewers are drawn in by the streamer's reactions to wins, losses, and bonus features, creating an engaging viewing experience. Monetization plays a huge role too. Just like other forms of content creation, streaming slots can be monetized through various means. Streamers can earn money from ads, donations, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing programs with online casinos.
The accessibility of online gambling platforms has grown significantly in recent years. Streaming slot play aligns with the growing interest in online casinos and gambling-related content. Streamers often diversify their content to cater to the different preferences of their audience. Incorporating slot play alongside other gaming or entertainment content can attract a broader range of viewers.
It's worth noting that this trend has also faced criticism and controversy. Some critics argue that streaming slots can normalize gambling behavior, especially among younger viewers, and may lead to problematic gambling habits. Due to the potential impact on vulnerable audiences, there have been calls for tighter regulations and responsible gambling practices within the streaming community. Some jurisdictions have taken steps to address these concerns.
In summary, streamers playing slots have tapped into the intersection of entertainment, interaction, monetization opportunities, and the increasing prevalence of online gambling. The trend is not without its complexities, as it raises discussions about responsible content creation and potential influence on viewers' attitudes toward gambling.
