xQc Reacts

The rivalry between YouTube and Twitch has resurfaced, this time over a disagreement over each platform’s gambling rules.

Gambling has resurfaced as a major trend on Twitch, partly as a result of Felix “xQc” Lengyel retracting his prior apology and opting to gamble aggressively, losing about $2 million in a single month. Despite his family’s and fans’ concerns, xQc has stated that he can “afford” to have a gambling addiction and has requested that anyone who does not agree with his content simply leave. Many streamers, like Ludwig Ahgren, Sykkuno, and Imane “Pokimane” Anys, have expressed alarm over the revival of gambling, asking why Twitch has no problem with its largest content creators encouraging the contentious practice to underage viewers. xQc has opted to slam streamers who disagree with his gambling decision. 

Ludwig has previously stated that his avoidance of this type of stuff is due to a gambling addiction. Ludwig recently stated that he did not want to “sell out” to online gambling sponsors because he was frightened of the backlash and potential harm to viewers. xQc, on the other hand, recently criticized Ludwig for his decision not to gamble, claiming that there is more to it than Ludwig is admitting.

Here’s what xQc stated; “Guys, I did some mental investigation about this, okay? Ludwig says he doesn’t have a price. Then it hit me. It’s because Ludwig is on YouTube and YouTube doesn’t allow any of it. And Ludwig signed and sold out to YouTube. Therefore, he literally contractually in any way shape or form do it. Now I got it.”

In the summer of 2021, YouTube modified its policy to counter the growing trend of content creators providing sponsored gambling content live stream. Ads encouraging gambling, alcohol, or prescription drugs are banned under the new guidelines. Ludwig has yet to reply to xQc’s claims, but one is almost certainly on the way. Streamers have been outspoken in their opposition to gambling on Twitch, despite the fact that the platform’s Terms of Service allow it.