Twitch Competitor Kick Sparks Controversy as Pokimane Takes a Stand
Pokimane, one of Twitch’s prominent streamers, recently expressed her firm stance on rival streaming platform Kick. During a livestream on June 21, Pokimane responded to her chat’s question about leaving Twitch for Kick in exchange for $10 million, stating, “I would rather maintain my dignity than make any amount of money.”
Pokimane had previously criticized the close association between Kick and the crypto gambling website Stake. While some have claimed that Stake has significant ownership of Kick, the streaming platform denies any such relationship. Pokimane questioned why she should compromise her morals and ethics for monetary gain when she is already financially stable.
Pokimane’s Concerns on Kick’s Connection to Online Gambling
Since commenting on xQc’s $100 million deal with Kick, Pokimane has been vocal about her concerns regarding the platform’s association with online gambling. Valkyrae also revealed that Pokimane had reached out to her, questioning her support for xQc’s deal with Kick.
Pokimane later engaged in a call with xQc to discuss the ethical concerns surrounding Kick and streamers who signed deals with the platform. The conversation ultimately ended in an impasse.
In a previous livestream, Pokimane mentioned Kick in relation to its potential impact on Twitch’s dominance in the streaming industry. She argued that Kick was actually beneficial to Twitch and that the platform could choose to withdraw its services if it wanted to.
Kick’s Growing Streamer List and Controversial Gambling Policies
xQc’s move to Kick is part of a trend that includes other Twitch streamers like Amouranth, Trainwreck, and Adin Ross. Launched in March, Kick is attracting a global audience, but it faces controversy due to its lenient policies on online gambling.
While Kick permits various gambling livestreams, Twitch implemented a ban on unregulated websites and limited the promotion of other gambling services in October 2022.