Kick, a rising star in the streaming platform world, is making waves in the iGaming sector with a distinct gambling policy. This platform, established as a response to Twitch’s prohibitive stance on gambling streams, has restructured its strategy to openly embrace such content.
The Kick Debate: Controversial Strategies in the Stream Space
Kick’s method of reserving specific slots for gambling streams is controversial within in the iGaming world. As highlighted by notable Twitch streamer Asmongold, this move aligns with Kick’s overall strategy.
Asmongold suggests that it’s a pragmatic approach, stating, “Kick’s recommended seems to reserve the third and fifth spots for gambling streams. There’s a chance that could be the case… Obviously, they’re going to make money off of gambling. This is probably smart to do.“
Kick’s launch has already proven successful in luring significant Twitch personalities, with names such as xQc, Trainwreck, Amouranth, and even the renowned rapper Drake, joining the platform.
A Radical Revenue-Sharing Approach
Kick’s innovative revenue-sharing model, which allows streamers to retain 95% of the proceeds while Kick only takes a 5% cut, stands in stark contrast to the models of established platforms like Twitch. This disruption can potentially reshape the revenue structures in the broader iGaming industry.
Interestingly, the open gambling policy has brought Kick into contention with Amazon’s Twitch platform, which itself has gambling ties through its partnership with DraftKings, a leading gambling company in North America. As a result, industry observers and streamers alike, including Asmongold, are reevaluating their allegiances.
However, not all responses have been favourable, as seen in Greece’s recent ban of Kick due to its high gambling content. This points to a dichotomy of regional responses that could influence future regulatory approaches.
The Impact on the iGaming Industry
Kick’s gambling policy might carry significant implications for the iGaming industry:
- Kick’s explicit promotion of gambling streams could compel other platforms to reassess their policies around such content, potentially leading to an industry-wide shift.
- Kick’s streamer-centric revenue-sharing model could prompt other platforms to reconsider their financial strategies to remain competitive.
- The varied responses to Kick’s gambling content, as evidenced by Greece’s ban, could catalyse discussions around standardised regulations for gambling content across all platforms.
