Last updated: September 22, 2023
Rival streaming platform Kick is making strides against Twitch by embracing gambling content and securing top Twitch streamers like xQc and Amouranth.
Stake-backed company Kick has been slowly making headway in the streaming sector since its launch earlier this year. Top Twitch streamers like xQc, Amouranth, and others were signed, which significantly contributed to its success.
According to StreamCharts.com, Kick’s August viewing total marked the first time since its launch that the show had surpassed 100 million hours. A big portion of that included slots and gaming materials.
The average number of concurrent viewers is up 13%, and the platform has seen a rise in viewer hours month over month. Although peak viewership increased steadily between May and July, it decreased 25% in August.
Even though the advancement may not be as obvious as it was during the spring season, there are enough signs that Kick is progressing. StreamCharts.com’s most recent data shows a significant increase in the average number of online viewers compared to the previous month, despite July seeing a spike in bot activity.
Kick’s “Just Chatting” category came in first place on this list with 34 million hours of viewing, up 33% from July’s total. However, at the same time, its peak concurrent viewership decreased by a comparable amount, demonstrating the ongoing difficulty in keeping viewers engaged.
Second place went to the “Slots & Casino” category, which increased by 57% from July. It increased in almost all metrics over the course of the month, which is clear evidence that Kick’s focus on the gaming market is working.
The slot created especially for Grand Theft Auto (GTA) V was well-liked and experienced the biggest monthly increase. It increased by 700%, primarily as a result of recent GTA news and updates, as well as the growing number of GTA streamers on Kick.
Despite how profitable and significant gambling content is to streaming platforms, all types of content providers need to be ready for change. Legislators and regulators are paying more attention to everything from Kick to TikTok, so the free, essentially unrestricted reign over online content won’t last forever.
Influencer-driven gambling content is already strongly opposed in France and other nations. Similar thinking is probably going on in the European Union.
Denmark’s gaming authority, Spillemyndigheden, recently fined a streamer for endorsing an online gaming site without a valid license there. The unnamed internet celebrity was fined €1,340 ($1,446), and the regulator forewarned that other offenders would pay the same amount.
It’s also likely that the Philippines will adopt a more assertive stance. Influencers are being pressured through a campaign not to advertise unlicensed gaming platforms. Even though it isn’t a government-led initiative, the way lawmakers currently feel about online gaming may quickly change.
Susan is a verified gambling support specialist who has helped thousands of problem gamblers get back on their feet through therapy and financial counseling. She’s also worked as a cage manager in four Las Vegas casinos and spent two years in Macau in her 30s, where she became extremely savvy at Sic Bo and other Asian table games. Her knowledge and expertise have and continue to play a priceless part in how we structure our content, particularly when it comes to game guides and casino reviews.
