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Twitch's recent updates have had enormous ripple effects in the livestreaming industry. The most significant policy change is the prohibition of gambling content, which Twitch introduced in October 2022. Another move streamers didn't welcome was adjusting the revenue split for premium partners.
These policy updates have created a void in the market. They've left many streamers stranded as they search for alternative options. Kick.com is among the front-runners trying to leverage the opportunity as a potential competitor to the Amazon subsidiary.
Kick.com, the new livestreaming platform created by Twitch sensation Tyler "Trainwreckstv," has made headlines recently for its impressive growth and promising features. However, some have raised concerns about the platform's financial ties to the online casino Stake.com. Is Kick.com just a vehicle for Stake.com's online casino, and is the success of the former merely a reflection of the interests of the latter? Keep reading to learn more.
Kick.com has been one of the main discussion topics among the livestreaming community. Many were happy to learn about Kick's proposed plans for all stakeholders in the industry. But its entry has also faced a fair share of criticism from onlookers.
But what exactly is this new company? What's the expected endgame for its entry strategies? Here is all you need to know:
Kick.com is a livestreaming platform looking to go toe-to-toe with Twitch. Remember, Twitch currently boasts over 188 million viewers. So, Kick must be at its best to compete with the Amazon-owned service effectively.
So far, things are looking great for the new entrant. The site has registered over 1 million users since its launch in late 2022. It's also enjoyed recommendations from popular content creators, such as Trainwreck, Roshtein, and Drake.
One of the issues with the inception of the Kick streaming platform is the obvious need for the platform to exist after gambling was banned in October 2022.
With invested interest shared between platforms, the viability of Kick is called into question as merely a vehicle for promoting online gambling on Stake. These concerns result from Eddie Craven, the Stake's owner, playing a vital role in creating Kick.com.
Another issue that onlookers have raised is Kick's resemblance to Twitch. Most features on the new site's homepage look pretty much the same as the purple platform.
But that has worked in favor of Kick.com, as it makes it easier for users to adapt to the new environment. It has shortened the learning curve for viewers and content creators who're moving from Twitch to the Trainwreck-backed site.
Trainwreck is one of the most famous names you must have seen associated with Kick.com. So, what role does Tyler Niknam play in all these developments?
Tyler "Trainwreck" Niknam's story in the streaming industry traces back to 2015. The popular content creator opened the Trainwreckstv channel on Twitch, which now has over 2 million followers. The YouTube version of the same has 200,000 subscribers and enjoys thousands of views per upload.
Niknam is one of the most articulated streamers regarding Twitch's "unfair" policies. Over the past few months, he's been updating his fans about his plans to start a new platform that'll rival Twitch. In late 2022, he introduced Kick.com as part of that project.
In his Washington Post interview, he mentioned that he'd be Kick's advisor in a non-ownership role. So, everyone expects him to be vital in ensuring that Kick.com meets the needs of his fellow content creators.
It's also important to mention that Trainwreck has ties with Stake.com. The two parties signed a partnership deal before Twitch rolled out its policy updates.
The crypto-betting site sponsored Trainwreck's streams, as the creator broadcast playing Stake.com casino games. However, after Twitch's changes, Niknam moved his sessions to Kick.com in December 2022.
Kick has also attracted many stakeholders' attention because of its notable features. The streaming service boasts several streamer-oriented policies. According to Trainwreck, this could start an era where content creators' welfare comes first.
Kick's approach focuses heavily on the streamers' income and the leniency of its policies. Of course, some have pointed out that these features are not unique to the platform. But considering the trends of many mainstream services, it's still a commendable move by Kick.com.
Have a look at some of the main advantages of Kick.com:
As mentioned earlier, Kick.com is among the front-runners trying to overtake Twitch. One opportunity that the Trainwreck-backed platform has identified is the revenue split.
Twitch offers a 50/50 split to standard streamers and 70/30 to premium-rated creators. However, this policy will change in June 2023 as the purple platform looks to standardize the payments.
Once the revenue update takes effect, Twitch will only offer 70/30 to premium streamers for their first USD$100,000. After that, the 50/50 rule will apply to everyone regardless of status.
Kick.com seeks to do things differently by ensuring everyone receives what they deserve. All streamers will earn 95% of the money generated through subscriptions. Trainwreck and other stakeholders believe the remaining 5% is enough to run all maintenance operations.
Another thing that Trainwreck mentioned in his TwitLonger post as he introduced Kick.com was the tips. The renowned content creator confirmed that streamers would receive 100% of the donations and tips they receive from their fans.
In addition to the 50/50 split, most mainstream platforms keep part of the tips. However, with Kick.com's "100% kicks" policy, streamers can earn more from their work. That will help them invest in equipment that'll make video streaming safe and better.
The withdrawal policy may not be unique to Kick, but it's another factor worth mentioning. Despite technological advancements, many livestreaming platforms still adopt old-school withdrawal methods. As such, it can take days before streamers receive the money in their accounts.
Kick.com seeks to change that by fast-tracking the payment process. According to the company, content creators should be able to receive their withdrawals within the same day.
Streamers have always criticized Twitch for its bans. The Amazon-owned platform has often banned or suspended streamers indefinitely, which has left many worried about their place on the purple platform.
The newly launched competitor promises to eliminate such misunderstandings by creating clear policies. This way, streamers will know what's expected of them, and there will be no complaints if found on the wrong side of the law.
So, Ed Craven and Trainwreck's roles are the main links between Kick and Stake. But to better understand the whole scenario, it'd be prudent to first learn about the online crypto casino.
Stake.com has become popular in the gambling industry as a constantly evolving crypto-betting company. It first appeared in 2017 and has attracted over 5 million users in its few years of operation. According to Similarweb, the betting site has traffic of more than 18 million visits per month.
Today, it handles billions of transactions annually, thanks to the vast user base and a wide range of casino games. Some of the best games unique to Stake.com include Dice, Limbo, Mines, Video Poker, and Keno.
The main factor contributing to Stake.com's rapid growth is its marketing strategy. For instance, its sponsorship deal with Everton and Watford was a plan to grow its brand awareness among football fans.
Remember, the company offers sports betting. So, it makes sense to move closer to football fans because they're the primary consumers of this product.
In addition to the Premier League, Stake.com has penetrated other sports associations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The crypto-gambling giant signed a deal in 2021 to be UFC's betting partner.
What sets Kick.com apart from other livestreaming platforms is its close relationship with the online casino Stake.com. As mentioned earlier, Trainwreck and Ed Craven are popular names linking the companies.
However, many have raised concerns that the success of Kick.com is not solely based on the quality of its platform but also Stake.com's financial interests. They believe Kick.com may be merely a vehicle for the online casino to reach a wider audience. How accurate are those sentiments?
First, there is no denying the connection between Kick and Stake.com. Trainwreck confirmed the same in his Washington Post statement, saying that Ed Craven has invested in the newly formed platform.
Nevertheless, it's worth noting that there is no official partnership between Stake and Kick.com. Their relationship is solely based on mutual benefits from their independent operations.
Like any other company, Stake.com is using Kick.com as an advertising channel. Stake sponsors streams on Kick, with the streamers playing chance-based games on its site. Like on Twitch, the crypto-betting company operates within the rules set by the livestreaming service.
Of course, given Stake's reputation in the marketing sector, you can understand the critics' concerns. Ed Craven's company has been very aggressive in its marketing strategies. But even with this aggressive approach, Stake has often operated with the required legal frame.
There have already been several Stake-sponsored streams in Kick's two months of operation. Drake, Roshtein, and Trainwreck have all hosted at least one stream since the launch of the new platform.
Trainwreck
Trainwreck was among the first to create a channel on Kick similar to his Twitch's Trainwreckstv. The Kick channel had already gained over 80,000 followers at the time of writing.
Niknam's new page has hosted more than 10 streams on Kick since November 2022. Amazingly, all the sessions have been Trainwreck's broadcasts of slots games on Stake.com.
It's important to state that the Trainwreckstv channel has a "gamble responsibly" note on the homepage. This "warning sign" shows that the streamer isn't out to push predatory gambling practices.
You may know Drake from his successful music career, but he's also made a name in the gambling industry. The Canadian rapper signed a partnership deal with Stake.com in early 2022. He broadcast a few sponsored streams on Twitch throughout that year.
Following Twitch's policy changes, Drake had to move to Kick.com like many of his counterparts. He hosted his first session on the platform in December 2022 alongside Roshtein, another popular streamer.
The stream featured a Q&A session, where fans were allowed to ask the celebrities a few questions. After that, it was business as usual. The hosts began playing casino games on Stake.com and selected winners for the available giveaways.
The online gambling industry has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years. There is a widespread belief that betting culture has detrimental effects on society. It's not surprising, given the negative experiences shared by various victims, including addiction.
Unfortunately, some betting companies flouting the law doesn't help the situation. Many believe this is causing harm to society, which has eroded public trust in all gambling sites, even those operating legitimately.
As Kick.com gains more attention and users, it's essential to consider the potential impact on vulnerable individuals and the broader public perception of online gambling. Its relationship with Stake.com will continue to attract criticism.
While that's the case, it's worth noting that both platforms operate within legal boundaries. They offer responsible gambling measures, as seen on most Kick.com streams so far.
Stake.com is also licensed in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom (a country known for its strict laws against gambling). That proves the crypto-betting company's legitimacy, which has come under fire.
Remember, the sponsored streams on Kick.com and other similar platforms are for marketing. Like any other product, you must do your due diligence before consuming it.
But even if the advertised company is legitimate, it's still crucial for you to approach online gambling with caution. As a gambler, you should set responsible limits for yourself and know when to stop.
Kick.com has emerged as a promising new player in the livestreaming industry, but its close ties to online casino Stake.com have raised questions about its true motivations and potential impact on the wider public. As the platform continues to grow and attract more users, it's important for stakeholders to keep a watchful eye on its financial ties and potential impact on vulnerable individuals.
