Twitch Lays Out Rules & Regulations of Prohibited Gambling Content Policy 

Twitch, the popular live-streaming service for content, including music, sports, entertainment, and gaming, has officially implemented the terms and conditions of its gambling content policy. Twitch announced a new Gambling Policy Update on 20 September 2022, but it only came into effect on 18 October 2022.

According to the updated rules on the prohibition of gambling content, Twitch does not allow users to share affiliate codes, or links, to slots, dice games, or roulette sites. More specifically, Twitch live streamers are proscribed from performing the following:

• No referral codes to slot sites are permitted in chats
• Twitch users may not verbally direct chats to dice game sites
• Live streamers may not include banners with links to online roulette games

According to the rules and regulations of the Prohibited Gambling Content Policy, several sites are now banned from streaming on Twitch. These include Roobet, Rollbit, Stake, and Duelbits. In addition, they may not be included as links in chat conversations either. 

In determining the permissibility of the site, Twitch contemplates multiple factors, notably the presence of safety and security measures (age verification, waiting periods, deposit limits, et al.).

Further, Twitch assesses the presence of VPNs as it pertains to the evasion of geo-blocking technology. Other factors that come into play include licensing and regulation of online gambling sites. Jurisdictions such as the US and Europe are notable for their robust customer protection policies. As such, these operators are more likely to enjoy protections from Twitch.

Significant Drop in the Slots Meta on Twitch

Reports from Big Win Board indicate that the slots meta has seen a drop in streaming activity from all prominent stake/crypto streamers. According to the report, the slots meta fell to #48 at the time of publication. That’s a significant drop from its heydays before the crackdown on crypto casinos and gambling content.

Fake streamers typically resort to view botting to accumulate views. Unfortunately, streamers have consistently exaggerated the numbers to create higher figures. Although streamers keep using view botting, the number should now be closer in reality.

Many targeted fake streamers used similar strategies to drive traffic from DLive to Twitch. To encourage viewers to view their streams, they offered giveaways. These actions could be considered a violation of Twitch’s updated terms and conditions.

The Twitch Ban Is Not A Blanket Ban on Gambling

While the Twitch ban on gambling  reads as a blanket ban on gambling, this is certainly not the case. Twitch maintains that gambling is permitted on the live streaming service, but the rules are sacrosanct. 

Live streamers who ignore the rules, or try to obviate them, may now face punitive measures. The new Prohibited Gambling Content Policy has left many Twitch users bemused, yet gambling is permitted, provided it follows several guidelines.

Twitch has not clarified the regulations pertaining to its updated gambling policy. However, the rules provide a general framework for gauging the permissibility of crypto casinos and casinos in general. According to those in the know, unregulated operators are front and center as targets of the new Twitch ban on gambling.

These operators are considered unsafe. However, since Amazon owns Twitch and the companies are based in the United States, it is safe to say that gambling websites licensed and regulated in the United States are safe to promote.

Twitch streamers are encouraged to validate whether the operator is licensed before actively promoting content online. Those who flout the rules risk a permanent ban on Twitch. Unfortunately, many such instances have already taken place, with scores of streamers potentially facing the same fate. As a case in point, when the ban went into effect on 18 October 2022, the majority of Stake streamers vanished from the platform.

While a small number tried to remain active – by flouting the regulations – they primarily view botting channels and spam. Once they were reported, they were immediately removed – a testament to Twitch’s determination to make good on its promise.

Many such examples abound, notably TrainwrecksTV – a prominent streamer on Twitch – who shifted from his typical gambling stream to Overwatch 2. Indeed, TrainwrecksTV’s meta fell out of the top 25 for the first time in many years as the streamer talked about doing podcasts or building his streaming platform.

Wazdan set their sights on worldwide expansion as they tally up their licenses and certifications, and strategise on what’s next for their international customer base.

Following on from a significant year of international expansion, the innovative slot game producer is looking to the year ahead with big ambitions on how to please their global audience of players and operators.

As of today, Wazdan games have been licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, Curacao eGaming and Romanian National Gambling Office ONJN. Not to mention, being certified and able to offer their products in Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

With these new licenses and certifications, Wazdan have been able to further cement their place as a leading slot producer on a global scale, where brands across the world have clamoured to offer their games, and players have got to enjoy a taste of the tailorable games unique to the Wazdan brand.

This has, of course, come as a result of hard work from the team at Wazdan. The operation of the casino software developer in these countries aids in their expansion strategy into key controlled markets around the world, such as Mexico and Sweden.

2019 saw the entry of Wazdan into the Swedish market through partners Kindred, Mr Green, Hero Gaming, and others, as well as into Mexico via their partnership with Logrand.

Looking at the year ahead, Wazdan continues to hold ambitious plans. More games, more licenses and more happy customers, being the top three focusses for 2020.

Be sure to visit the team at ICE London on stand S8-202 between the 4th to 6th of February to discuss what 2020 has in store, and to discover brand new games, including Black Horse Deluxe™, Sonic Reels, and Sic Bo Dragons.

“2020 is officially in full swing, and we could not be more excited and energised to push forward into the year ahead. We closed off 2019 with our games reaching an audience wider than ever before, and we intend to spend 2020 reaching further, both in terms of international expansion and in what we can do to delight players and operators through our games. Visit us on stand S8-202 at ICE London for an enthusiastic conversation about all things gaming and innovation.” Andrzej Hyla, Head of Sales at Wazdan.

 

 

Provider secures coveted MGA certification

Leading platform provider Digitain has been awarded a B2B Critical Gaming Supply Licence by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), enabling it to supply a wealth of Tier 1 B2C operators based in the critical jurisdiction.

The certification recognises Digitain’s award-winning platform, casino software solutions and in-house gaming management suite, building on the company’s record-breaking 2019 as it positions itself to become the world’s leading software partner by the end of the year.

The new licence allows Digitain to extend its global player reach and form strategic commercial partnerships in addition to its 100+ partner portfolios covering 65 sports, 7,500 leagues, and over 3,000 markets.

It also offers odds on 35,000 live events each month, while its casino solution has 3,000-plus games from major casino suppliers (such as Novomatic, Microgaming, NetEnt and Playson).

The provider’s state-of-the-art product offering, which last year received RGW, CEEGC, BEGE and EGR Awards for excellence, is set to be showcased at ICE London this February.

Suren Khachatryan, Chief Commercial Officer at Digitain, said: “This new licence deepens our access to a key market, giving further recognition to a market-leading portfolio that received a host of prestigious industry awards last year. 

“As well as being an important milestone for the company, the news affords more operators the chance to take advantage of our best-in-class sportsbook and casino technology. From highly advanced turn-key and white-label solutions to our premium quality in-house game collection, we’re on track to deliver another record-breaking year.”