Twitch Banned in Slovakia due to Online Gambling Concerns
The popular live-streaming site Twitch was indefinitely banned in Slovakia last week due to several complaints related to illegal gambling concerns. Supposedly this was due to a rise in illegal activity on the website, the decision is based on one Slovakian streamer who played online poker in one of his live streams, the average viewing age of Twitch streams is 14. The American live-streaming website is one of the most popular content creation platforms in the world.
The Slovakian government has banned popular live streaming site Twitch due to concerns certain creators are promoting gambling to their young viewers. Individuals often use twitch to live stream video games that can be viewed by anyone. ©Texler/Pixabay
Twitch is one of the fastest-growing companies in America. The live-streaming site has seen great success during the course of the pandemic; due to global lockdowns, individuals interested in live video games flocked to the site as an escape from reality. Twitch has managed to rival YouTube for the crown of the live-streaming king on the internet. The site allows individuals to stream whatever they like to any viewer who wants to watch; the most popular streaming category is video games ranging from a guy in his bedroom to international eSports tournaments.
The platform has successfully monetized its service, and viewers can donate to the content creator through the website to support them. Over the years, the community around the site has evolved to an almost cult-like devotion; similarly seen on sites such as Tumblr and Reddit, users dedicate a lot of time to keep up to date with their favorite streamers.
Creators on the platform have complete freedom to do what they want, obviously certain standards must be followed, such as no illegal substances/possessions, overtly sexual content, and racist/offensive language. Gambling, however, sits on a digital fence; while not violating the site’s terms of service, Twitch moderators can age restrict streams that feature any form of gambling. One Slovakian streamer recently faced backlash from the Slovak media, accusing him of promoting gambling to a proportionately underage audience.
While his account is still active on Twitch, the site itself has been banned in Slovakia, as the government views it as necessary to protect young people across the nation. Slovakia already has particularly tight restrictions on online gambling and casino usage, imposing deposit limits and hourly maximums to prevent individual exploitation. As Twitch is primarily comprised of users under the age of 18, the national gambling authority decided to ban the website indefinitely.
Slovakian Twitch Users Forced Out
According to data provided by Twitch, there are roughly 150,000 accounts registered in the Eastern European country. While some underage users may have viewed gambling content, the majority are there to see streamers playing their favorite video games such as League of Legends, Counter-Strike and Call of Duty: Warzone. It’s unfair for the vast majority of users who are using the site accordingly as a way to relax and connect with other internet users.
Twitch aren’t the first website to have been blocked in Slovakia due to gambling bravado. Several unlicensed and certified websites were banned due to showcasing gambling where vulnerable and underage users could view it. France has recently identified a surge in problem gambling, with many linking it to internet usage and ease of access. There are fears that Slovakia could cause a domino effect. Several European countries may consider banning the popular live-streaming site for similar reasons.
The EU doesn’t have a unified stance on online gambling, meaning the continent may be split on the decision to restrict virtual entertainment activity. It seems a shame to punish the many for the insignificant actions of the few. Twitch is a website where anyone can connect and interact with other users, with many people referring to it as an online community of like-minded individuals. Modern children spend their time differently due to their access to handheld technology, and old mindsets must change in order to accommodate this new way of life.
