Twitch, one of the world’s leading live streaming platforms, has announced a crackdown on gambling content in response to growing concerns over the impact of such content on users, particularly minors.
The move comes amid a surge in popularity of gambling streams on Twitch, with many users streaming themselves playing casino games, poker, and other forms of online gambling. While gambling content has long been a staple of Twitch, with many users enjoying watching streamers play slots or poker, concerns have been raised about the potential harm it can cause, particularly when it comes to underage viewers.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Twitch announced a number of new measures to regulate gambling content on its platform. These include strict guidelines on what types of gambling content are allowed, as well as tools to help users restrict access to such content.
According to the new guidelines, streamers will be prohibited from promoting gambling services or participating in gambling activities on stream. They will also be required to disclose any sponsorships or partnerships with gambling companies, and must adhere to strict age and location restrictions.
In addition, Twitch will be implementing new tools to help users regulate their exposure to gambling content. These include a new category filter that allows users to block gambling streams from their recommendations, as well as an age-gating feature that will require users to verify their age before accessing gambling content.
The announcement has been met with mixed reactions from the Twitch community. Some users have praised the platform for taking steps to protect vulnerable users from potentially harmful content, while others have expressed concern that the new measures could stifle creative freedom and limit the types of content that can be shared on the platform.
In a statement, Twitch CEO Emmett Shear emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all users. “We want Twitch to be a place where everyone feels comfortable and can enjoy themselves without fear of being exposed to harmful or inappropriate content,” he said.
The new measures will go into effect immediately, and Twitch has urged all users to familiarize themselves with the new guidelines to avoid any potential violations. With these stringent measures in place, Twitch is taking a proactive approach to promoting responsible gaming and ensuring the safety of its users.
