Summary:
- Twitch does not allow gambling streams.
- Nickmercs contract reportedly includes gambling streaming.
- Kick says Nick has a gaming contact with Stake alongside the deal with them.
With less issues and more pay, many popular Twitch streamers are switching to its rival Kick. Nick “Nickmercs” Kolcheff recently announced an eight-figure deal with Kick, stating he will be able to offer gambling streams via the new provider.
During his first live Kick stream, Nick said he would definitely be doing gambling streams. Kick has responded, stating that they did not add gambling to his contract, but Nick has another deal with Stake that includes gambling.
Stake and Kick Deal
Ed Craven, the owner of Stake.com, a gambling website, co-founded Kick. Nick has also signed a deal with Stake.com, obviously playing the role of promoter or ambassador. With the statements by Nick, it seems that Stake and Kick are connected, and both can be used to promote each other.
To be able to gamble and stream the footage, Nick had to get another home outside the US. Stake.com is not legal in the US as the brand does not have licensing in select states to offer services though Stake.us does offer US sweepstake players something. The move will allow Nick to place bets and record the footage so fans can watch along from home.
Banned From Twitch
Stake and other gambling sites were banned from Twitch about a year ago after big-name streamers on the platform, and viewers became concerned about gambling addiction and promoting gambling to an underage audience.
Kick is more lax and allows far more activity than Twitch, which could be a good or bad thing. For gamblers, it will provide streaming footage of gameplay for insight into various titles or events in the gambling world. For others, it means going too far and possibly breaching community guidelines.
Kick has received negative press due to streamer Adin Ross, who is known for controversy. Ross has hosted white supremacists and made many anti-LGBTQ+ comments in streams. He was also recently banned for sexual activity online during a live stream.
Will the bad side of Kick harm the big Twitch streamers that make the move? Will Nickmercs be able to continue his popularity as co-owner of the Faze Clan and Call of Duty streamer? It will be interesting to see how he fares at Kick and if the ability to offer gambling streams will play in his favor.
Kick has also recently signed other big-name players in the streaming world, including Kaitlyn “Amouranth” Siragusa, and Felix “xQc” Lengyel. Was the decision to move a good one or will it be the streamers downfall?
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