The xQc Gambling Controversy

Last night on steam, Felix “xQc” Lengyel stated that approximately $120 million had been wagered using his affiliate codes with his betting partner Stake.com, with $119 million going through his affiliate link with Stake so far. 

This news comes as the streamer faces backlash for returning to gambling streams after swearing off in what he claimed was a move based on his principles.

What’s more alarming is the casual attitude about the figure. When asked how much money had been wagered with his code, he told his chat that $119 million wasn’t “that crazy,” before adding, “Guys, that’s wagered…it means putting it in…but it always comes back somehow.” 

Affiliate links, for those unfamiliar, are essentially specific URLs that contain the affiliate’s ID or username. Companies employ affiliate links in affiliate programs to track the traffic that is directed to an advertiser’s website via that particular source, which means Stake can see every customer who comes their way via xQc’s stream, as well as how much they spend. 

It’s difficult to say exactly who watches xQc, although other sites estimate that 41% of Twitch users are between the ages of 16 and 24. Because xQc is one of the most popular Twitch streamers, his gambling has received more attention than usual, and his partners Stake.com are also viewed with suspicion by many in the industry.