Twitch is enforcing stricter content regulations concerning gambling-related streams. Announced on May 21st, the popular live-streaming platform’s latest measures are part of a broader effort to safeguard users and comply with regulatory standards.
The newly introduced content-filtering features include blocking gambling-related streams for site visitors who are not logged in. Alongside gambling, sexual themes are the only other content category subjected to such stringent treatment.
These measures build upon the foundation laid by Twitch’s Content Classification Labels (CCLs), first introduced in December. While initially serving an informational role, CCLs are now fully integrated into Twitch’s content filtering system, providing users with control over their viewing experience.
Under the updated system, users can customize their content preferences, enabling them to filter out specific categories like gambling and sexual themes.
For non-logged-in visitors, streams featuring these categories are automatically filtered out from recommendations, searches, and browsing results. Additionally, previews for streams with sexual themes are blurred by default.
Twitch’s crackdown on gambling-related content is not new. In 2022, the platform banned streams featuring gambling on unregulated sites, citing concerns about user safety and legal compliance. This move prompted some high-profile streamers to explore alternative platforms like Kick, which offer more lenient policies and profit-sharing incentives.