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Drake bets millions in final Twitch live stream

By Guardian Nigeria
04 January 2023   |   2:24 am
Worldwide streaming platform Twitch has clamped down on gambling streams after a series of controversies on the platform. Announced in September, Twitch updated their gambling policy, banning various big-name gambling sites from streaming on the platform. The main target of the ban was slots, roulette, or dice games that aren’t licensed in the United States—and…

Worldwide streaming platform Twitch has clamped down on gambling streams after a series of controversies on the platform.

Announced in September, Twitch updated their gambling policy, banning various big-name gambling sites from streaming on the platform.

The main target of the ban was slots, roulette, or dice games that aren’t licensed in the United States—and other jurisdictions with similar strict rules. But other websites offering sports betting, poker, and fantasy sports are still on the table for any prospective streamer.  Best Casino Game platform

With the advent of casino streams being banned from kicking off the Twitch platform by October 18th, many big gambling streamers did big send-off streams where millions were gambled on stream before Twitch officially pulled the plug.

Perhaps the most notable recent casino stream is Stake & Drake, sponsored by Stake.com.

The Canadian rap mogul was signed on as a brand ambassador by the website in 2022, which resulted in social media posts and live gambling streams.

This included a final stream where Drake played roulette and slot games live on Twitch, at one point being up over $12 million dollars betting on crypto casino platform, Stake.com.

This was the third live stream event on Twitch with Drake, and it is unknown if the partnership will continue on different platforms. Stake is no stranger to sponsoring streamers, celebrities, and athletes. They’ve partnered with other celebrities like Adesanya as part of their growth strategy.

Rise of online casinos

The first online casino software came into existence in the mid-1990s. This marked the beginning of the online gambling industry. The number of gambling sites has since risen from hundreds to thousands. It’s one of the main contributors to the market’s rapid growth rate of 12%. According to statistics, this industry could be valued at over USD$145.6 billion by 2030.

But what else has contributed to the rapid growth of this industry? The main factor that comes to mind is technology. It is no coincidence that the industry boomed after the introduction of smartphones and improved internet access. Remember, these features were considered a luxury in the late 1990s and early 2000s. But today, they’re affordable even for low-income consumers.

The rise in internet users in recent years has made it easier for gambling companies to market their products. Most of them have invested in social media advertising activities like casino streaming. This has proven to be one of the most effective marketing strategies.  Best Casino Game platform

You’ve probably seen renowned influencers broadcast their live casino sessions. Of course, some do it for fun, but many partners with online betting brands.

So, what if you also want to broadcast such activities to your audience? Where should you start? Fortunately, this article will be your ultimate guide to casino streaming. Keep reading to learn more.

What is casino streaming?

But first, what does casino streaming entail? It’s an interactive live broadcast of various casino games on social media sites. The streamer plays their favorite casino games like roulette while streaming live to their audience. The best and most used platforms are Twitch and YouTube.

Twitch, in particular, is home to gaming enthusiasts. Therefore, it’s easier to get viewers who are interested in your casino streams. In addition, users can find your streams easily by simply typing the relevant keywords like roulette, gambling game, poker, slots, or casino. Given that it’s relatively smaller than YouTube regarding monthly userbase, Twitch boasts 65% of live-streaming hours.

How do casino streamers earn?

Now that you know what casino streaming is, you’re probably wondering how these streamers earn. As mentioned earlier, many people do it for fun. But wouldn’t it be great if you could monetize the fun? Fortunately, there are a few ways you can earn a decent monthly package from your streams.

However, remember that this varies with the platform you’re using. The focus here will be the possible income sources of Twitch streamers. YouTube has similar opportunities, but the policies may be slightly different. That said, here is how a casino streamer makes money on Twitch:

  • Through sponsorships: Most, if not all, casino streamers are into sponsorships. Upcoming names in the industry may struggle to get a sponsorship deal. That’s because they don’t have evidence that they can influence other people.

Gambling companies are always looking for ways to market their products. The Twitch streaming industry’s recent growth has grabbed these brands’ attention. So, they usually approach influential streamers for sponsorships and advertising deals. Furthermore, the amount that streamers earn varies with the deal, which also depends on the size of the gambling company.

  • Paid subscriptions: Content creators with loyal fanbases are taking advantage of this feature. Twitch allows such streamers to charge a small fee per view and generate good money out of it. Subscriptions can also be through Twitch’s affiliate program, which has three monthly packages: USD$4.99, USD$9.99, and USD$24.99.

Your success will largely depend on how entertaining your content is. If many people enjoy your streams, you have a better chance of generating revenue through this channel. Other factors include the average number of monthly views and the generosity of your subscribers.

  • Advertisements: This is a common way of generating revenue on any online platform. Twitch sells millions of dollars in advertising annually, and streamers are among the primary beneficiaries. The latest Ads Incentive Program (AIP) separates Twitch from other platforms. According to Twitch, the new incentive program will translate to a 50 – 150% increase in pay rate for most streamers.

How does it work? If you’re eligible, Twitch sends you monthly offers showing how much you could earn. The main task will be to hit the target number of hours streamed for that task. Moreover, you will receive your predetermined payout if you hit a given “ad density” within the same period.

All streamers subscribed to this program earn 55% of the total ad revenue for each ad appearing in their streams. The catch is that you won’t control the ads; Twitch’s Ads Manager will handle that part.

In addition, remember that no two content creators will get the exact offers. That’s because Twitch considers your profile, audience size, and total hours streamed. After analyzing these factors, the company creates an offer for you accordingly.

How to get started with casino streaming 

Starting a casino streaming project is a lot easier than most other games. Most gaming activities require you to have many gaming skills before you start any streams. Fortunately, as a casino streamer, you only need the best online casino strategies. Make sure you also consider the following factors:

  1. Streaming equipment

These streams don’t necessarily require expensive computers to run. However, you’ll want a personal computer with enough specifications to support regular tasks. Therefore, you’ll need the following to have a smooth streaming experience:

  • Any decent graphics card, like Intel HD4000, will suffice since you can run casino games on browser screens.
  • A minimum of 8 gigabytes RAM and a core i5 processor are the features you should target since streaming is resource intensive.
  • Invest in an excellent webcam and microphone.
  • A strong internet connection should also be among your main priorities. Remember, everyone would like to follow the event live in high definition (HD). As such, your internet should be 5Mbps or more to support streaming in at least 720 pixels.

In summary, hardware requirements for casino streaming aren’t as strict as in other gaming activities. Even your current computer can do the job, provided it can comfortably handle hours of online streaming.

  1. Streaming software

Software is another important aspect when it comes to casino streaming. You’ll need good broadcasting software to grab the video content from your computer and transfer it to Twitch in real time. Moreover, searching online can give you a dozen applications. It’s essential to select the best one. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when choosing streaming software:

  • The software should be compatible with your computer. Consider your computer’s operating system (OS) version and hardware specifications.
  • Check for critical additional features like cloud storage for recordings or the ability to stream to several platforms at once.
  • Determine if it is browser-based or if you need to install a new application. The latter will use more storage space on your computer.
  • Consider the cost as well. There are free options, but you’ll have to pay a few for premium features. It’s best to compare these charges before deciding on a software application.

These factors can greatly affect your streaming experience. Note that heavier software may lag and make it difficult for you to interact with your audience. So, make sure you do prior research before purchasing these products. While at it, it would help if you find an option that embeds chats into your Twitch streams to make them more interactive.

  1. Type of games you stream

With all your equipment ready, you need to decide which casino games you’ll be streaming. There are various options, but those with live dealers are probably the best for such projects. Live dealer casino games give you the glamor of real-life casino sessions and make your Twitch streams more engaging.

You should watch some of the biggest casino streams to get an idea of what the Twitch audience likes. This way, you can see what the streamers are playing and how their followers respond. Of course, many slot games may not be ideal now that Twitch has banned several gambling sites. Nevertheless, there are still many options that your audience may like.

  1. Size of your audience

After finding the game for your stream, the next is to build followership. This is the most challenging part for most people, which applies to any social media platform. But it would be best if you went through it to become a successful Twitch streamer. As mentioned earlier, this is one of the main things Twitch considers in its ads program. Brands also prioritize the size of the audience when looking for a marketing partner.

Unfortunately, there is no one-style-fits-all when it comes to attracting followers. That said, you might want to consider the following tips to kick-start your career:

  • Choose the right Twitch content and stream the most popular and loved casino games.
  • Interact with your fans as much as possible.
  • Invite prospective audiences from other social media sites, especially if you have a vast following on those platforms.
  • Have a fixed schedule so you can stream regularly. This will make it easier for your followers to include you in their daily plans.
  • Name your streams wisely. Remember, popular phrases and keywords are typed in when looking for something to watch on Twitch.
  • Create an attractive layout to grab the attention of more Twitch users.

The best thing about social media is that there is always a method that works for every influencer. These methods can help generate a few followers, but you will need to actively find new ways of attracting your audience. Keep in mind that this isn’t something you can accomplish overnight. Building a small group of loyal fans can take several weeks or months.

  1. Your preferred sponsor

Once you have a considerable following, you might be lucky to receive an email from one of the top gambling companies. However, that’s not always the case. As such, you’ll need to approach some gambling sites and let them know you’re interested in a marketing partnership. Prioritize those new in the industry or haven’t hired many Twitch streamers. It’s worth noting that not all gambling sites are open for such collaborations, especially given Twitch’s current situation.

Conclusion

Casino streaming is a great way to showcase your gambling skills to your audience while generating some revenue. Twitch and YouTube are the most used platforms, but the former is the best option for such streams. You earn through advertisements, subscriptions, and sponsorships as a Twitch streamer. To start a live casino stream, you’ll need to build a big audience, find a suitable sponsor, and set up your streaming equipment, and you’re good to go. The type of games you choose to play will also have a significant impact on the number of people you’ll attract.

Unfortunately, many new streamers expect to succeed in the first month and start generating revenue immediately. That’s less likely to happen; it can take months. Like most career activities, you’ll need to commit more time and resources before you start enjoying any benefits. So, it’d be prudent to prioritize having fun with your audience and building an organic following.

 

 

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