In a recent Twitch stream, the renowned streamer Trainwreck expressed his disapproval towards the recently launched streaming platform Kick due to its handling of viewbotted gambling streams. Viewbotting is the practice of using automated programs or bots to artificially increase the number of viewers on a live stream. This technique is used to create the illusion of popularity and attract more organic viewers. However, viewbotting violates the terms of service of most streaming platforms, and it can lead to account suspension or a permanent ban.
The story of Twitch star Tyler 'Trainwreck' Niknam, who subsequently became a Kick.com endorser, is closely tied to gambling streams. As one of the pioneers in the field, he was among the first to gamble live on Twitch, with thousands of viewers tuning in thanks to his sponsorship deal with Stake. However, the rise of gambling streams also sparked controversy and criticism from several Twitch streamers and a sizable community of viewers. Eventually, Twitch took action and banned unlicensed gambling streams.
In response, Trainwreck announced a new streaming platform called Kick which promises relaxed terms of service, no bans on gambling streams, increased revenue for streamers, and more. Despite Trainwreck's enthusiasm for the new platform, it has not been without its problems. The streamer has expressed his disappointment with the use of viewbotting services to artificially inflate the number of views for gambling broadcasts. In a Twitch stream, Trainwreck acknowledged the ongoing issue with viewbotting on Kick and claimed that he was working to address the problem despite facing criticism for doing so.
According to Twitch star Trainwreck, if a streamer is using viewbotting services to boost their viewership by 2-3 thousand viewers, he may choose to overlook it. However, when a streamer is using these services to artificially inflate their viewership by 15-20 thousand viewers a day to promote predatory gambling content, Trainwreck is deeply troubled by this. Trainwreck has pledged to actively seek solutions to the problem and fix it as soon as possible, particularly since his name is closely associated with Kick as one of its primary supporters.
Kick appears to have a more relaxed approach to content moderation policies when compared to Twitch, which has been the dominant player in the market for years. While this approach might seem appealing to some users, it also raises concerns about the kind of content that might appear on the platform. Kick must work hard to overcome the challenges it faces and create a compelling value proposition for users who are already invested in other streaming platforms.