Casino Streaming

The emergence of casino streaming on the popular platform Twitch can be traced back to the latter half of 2015. However, it wasn't until around 2019 that it truly began to evolve into the significant industry it is today. Initially, poker was the primary focus of casino streaming on the platform, however, as evidenced by current statistics, the slot section has since surpassed it in terms of popularity.

It is difficult to determine the precise originator of casino streaming on Twitch, but one name that frequently arises in discussions on the topic is CasinoTwitcher. As one of the pioneering figures in popularizing casino streaming, CasinoTwitcher has attained a reputable status within the casino streaming community. Nevertheless, he has since discontinued his slot streaming due to his disillusionment with the commercialization of the industry and has no intentions of resuming. Presently, the scene is thriving with a plethora of streamers who share their gambling experiences in real time with global audiences. However, it is important to note that not all streamers are legitimate, and it is crucial to be cautious. More information on this will be provided later in this article.

Since the advent of casino streaming on Twitch, the landscape has undergone significant transformation, and CasinoTwitcher's concerns regarding the commercialization of the Twitch slots meta are not without merit. In the early days, game providers were not heavily involved, and the emphasis was primarily on casino affiliation. While casinos quickly adopted this new trend, game providers did not begin to participate on Twitch until around 2018. Simultaneously, the platform has also become highly competitive for streamers. Between 2016 and 2018, a small group of 4-5 streamers dominated the slots section, while the rest were primarily individuals attempting to finance their gambling habits and vying for a share of the market. Today, the Twitch casino meta appears vastly different, now teeming with individuals seeking to make a quick profit.

One of the most significant changes occurred in 2018 with the acquisition of the slot streaming community Casinogrounds by online casino giant LeoVegas. This acquisition led some to believe that it marked the end of independent streaming. However, as it transpired, the majority were not particularly concerned with the politics of casino streaming, and the scene continued to grow at a steady pace. There are still those who believe that corporate involvement harms the credibility of casino streamers and that it has essentially become an advertising platform with non-existent responsible gambling policies.

The competition in the casino industry is fierce, possibly more so than ever before, and whenever new markets and opportunities arise, competition is sure to follow. Currently, new streamers are appearing at an increasingly rapid rate. A small number are streaming for fun, but the majority are undoubtedly business-oriented affiliates, even going so far as to employ individuals to stream for them. Unfortunately, not all play fair, as viewbotting and fake money gambling are common practices on the platform.

In general, what many popular Twitch slot streamers have in common is a higher-than-average bet size, although a few do attempt to keep it at a reasonably low level. While a large bankroll and big bets certainly seem to increase the appeal for many viewers, it is not a guarantee of success. It is challenging to say for certain what makes a great streamer, but to claim that it is easy to "make it" is far from accurate. It is not necessarily necessary to be an exceptional entertainer to become popular, as we are seeing a number of less eccentric personalities attract a considerable number of viewers. The only way to know if you have what it takes is to try for yourself.

Casino streaming on Twitch has evolved into a vast and lucrative industry, with crypto casinos such as Stake and Roobet entering the scene with substantial sponsorship deals, effectively transforming Twitch into a massive gambling platform. Even prominent Twitch personalities, such as xQc and Trainwreckstv, as well as other popular video gamers, have jumped on the gambling bandwagon, which in turn has prompted fake money streamers to up the stakes and become increasingly outlandish in their attempts to outdo one another. This led to the imposition of new rules by Twitch to limit this practice.

While it is challenging to definitively prove who is genuine or fake (Stake.com, Roobet, and Rollbit are a few of the crypto casinos that have been banned from the platform for their dubious practices), we believe we have a good understanding of the situation. Having been part of the casino streaming scene from the beginning, we know many of the major streamers personally, as well as the inner workings of the industry. While it is true that even legitimate streamers do not always play solely with their own money, as they are sponsored by game providers and receive unlimited deposit bonuses, most are transparent about it.

However, some game providers have been known to sponsor questionable Twitch slot streamers, legitimizing them in the process and negatively impacting the experience for both viewers and legitimate streamers, not to mention the damage it is causing to the industry as a whole. At one point, we even blacklisted one game provider due to their direct ties to the highly controversial streamer Roshtein, resulting in the provider being dropped by several major aggregators and losing out on several promising deals.

We always encourage game providers to support legitimate streamers. On several occasions, we have been consulted by game providers to provide our opinion on the matter, as many of them do not want to associate their brand with irresponsible streamers. Ignoring warning signs could undoubtedly cause long-term damage to the brand, as we have seen in the case of GameArt.

In essence, casino streaming is a form of marketing that aims to generate as many sign-ups to their partner casinos as possible. Most adhere to the rules and do so in a respectful manner, but a few bad actors will cheat and take shortcuts for their own gain. We may take a stand against certain streamers for various reasons, not just suspected fake money streaming. For example, they may promote rogue casinos, which is a strong indication that the affiliate streamer has no regard for the well-being of their viewers. Additionally, bad streamers may resort to viewbotting, buying fake follower accounts on YouTube (which is common), or there may be a lack of transparency regarding casino/provider sponsorship deals. Enticing viewers to take excessive financial risks is also highly problematic. Generally, it is advisable to approach streamers playing on crypto casinos such as Stake and Roobet with caution. It has been noted that these casinos sometimes sponsor streamers with various questionable deals, potentially misleading viewers regarding the true nature of the gameplay experience

Launching a career in streaming on Twitch requires little more than a functional computer and internet connection, yet a greater investment of time and resources can increase the likelihood of success. A positive and sociable personality is often more beneficial than technical enhancements. To provide an illustration of a professional streaming setup, an example image is provided above.

Initially, one monitor may be sufficient, yet as streams become more technically advanced, many streamers opt to add a second, and even a third monitor. A common method of utilizing multiple monitors is to use one solely for the slots action, and the other for chat windows, streaming software, and notepads. In the example above, the streamer is utilizing a boom arm and shock mount for the microphone, the latter is used to prevent vibration from traveling up the mic stand and reaching the diaphragm of the microphone. However, the image does not depict a noise protection filter, also known as a pop killer.

Proper lighting should not be underestimated. While dedicated spotlights are not necessary, and the monitors themselves often provide ample lighting, the social aspect of streaming is crucial. Viewers desire to see facial expressions during wins, losses, unexpected occurrences, and cringes.

To begin a streaming career, one must first establish an account on Twitch and consider creating a channel on YouTube Live. The use of Open Broadcaster Software is necessary for streaming, and assistance can be sought from forum members if technical difficulties arise. To stream on both Twitch and YouTube simultaneously, the use of services such as Restream may be necessary. This service is free and can be accessed by logging in with a Twitch account.

Streaming requires a relatively powerful computer, specifically in terms of CPU, and a sufficient internet upload speed. While video frame settings can be adjusted in OBS Player, a minimum upload speed of 5 Mbit/s is recommended for streaming in 720p. While it is possible to stream without the use of a camera, success in the top league of streaming often requires the display of facial expressions and emotions, which can be achieved by using a simple webcam such as the Logitech C270. Additionally, a dedicated USB microphone such as the Blue Yeti can enhance the audio quality of the stream.

It's also important to have a good understanding of the Twitch platform and its rules as well as the online gambling industry regulations and laws. It's crucial to always promote responsible gambling and to be transparent about any sponsorship deals or bonuses that you might be receiving from online casinos. Many streamers also use overlays, alerts, and other tools to make their streams more engaging and interactive for their viewers. Setting a schedule for streaming and having a niche or area of expertise can also help to attract and retain an audience.

At present, casino streaming remains a viable endeavor, yet with certain limitations that must be adhered to, similar to the regulations imposed on casino affiliate websites. However, with the ongoing implementation and enforcement of regulations by regulatory bodies, it is likely that stricter measures will be imposed on streamers in the future. Additionally, as a streamer, one must also contend with the potential suspension or shut down of their channel by third-party platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, as seen in the past with casino streamers.

In September 2020, the UK Betting and Gaming Council proposed a new set of rules which were subsequently enforced by the UK Gambling Commission, resulting in the prohibition of UK-based streamers streaming on the Twitch platform. Furthermore, in August 2021, Twitch introduced new rules prohibiting the display of casino links or promotional codes on their platform.