Arteezy, a popular streamer, recently made the switch to Kick, a streaming platform, which has caused mixed feelings among the Dota 2 community. Not only do his viewers prefer Twitch, but they are also unhappy with his decision to broadcast gambling content.
Several big Kick streamers, including xQc and NICKMERCS, have revealed that they either get paid to gamble on stream or have gambling included in their contracts with the platform. While Kick is not directly operated by Stake, an online casino, the co-founder of Kick does own the gambling operation.
It seems that Arteezy’s viewership on Kick is not as high as on Twitch. Despite being one of the top broadcasters on Kick, his average and peak viewership on the platform are significantly lower compared to Twitch. This suggests that a large portion of his community is not willing to make the switch to Kick. Additionally, his decision to incorporate gambling into his broadcasts has disappointed some viewers.
Gambling has been a controversial topic in the streaming space, with Twitch banning traditional forms of gambling from the platform. Kick, on the other hand, focuses on this type of content. Some viewers are disappointed in Arteezy’s decision to adopt gambling in his streams, as they believed he only cared about Dota. They feel that exposing his fanbase to gambling is disappointing, despite understanding that it may be a good financial move for him.
Furthermore, Arteezy and other players like Cr1t- and zai have been promoting an NFT project on social media, which has received negative feedback. However, some viewers are indifferent to the gambling streams and see it as a way for Arteezy to earn money while Dota goes through changes for the upcoming season. As long as he clearly advertises it as “18+ u will lose,” they believe it is acceptable since his viewer base is likely to be older.
The reaction to Arteezy’s gambling streams may have been lessened by the normalization of betting sponsors in Dota. Many top teams, including recent International winners, are supported by sponsors in the betting, crypto, or gambling industry. Some users argue that gambling in Dota is already normal due to these sponsorships. Additionally, Arteezy does not spend hours solely gambling but rather plays Dota for an average of six hours before and after his gambling sessions.
There is also an ongoing discussion about ethical dilemmas in esports, such as accepting money from questionable sponsors or participating in events backed by controversial entities. Some users pointed out that top Dota players and casters have been involved in Saudi-backed tournaments. Since there are no guidelines on what sponsors are allowed in the scene, teams and players can make their own decisions, regardless of fan opinions.
Source: DOTESPORTS
