The Rise of Gambling Streamers: How xQc, Trainwreckstv, and Andypsx Changed the Game
The world of online streaming has witnessed a seismic shift over the past few years, with gambling content exploding from a niche category into one of the most-watched genres on platforms worldwide. At the center of this phenomenon are personalities like xQc, Trainwreckstv, and Andypsx – streamers who've turned high-stakes gambling into must-watch entertainment, raking in millions while sparking intense debate about the ethics of streaming casino games to massive audiences.
The Superstars of Slots: Meet the Biggest Gambling Streamers
xQc: The $100 Million Man Who Can't Stop
Félix "xQc" Lengyel started his career as a professional Overwatch player before transitioning into full-time streaming. Today, he's one of the most-watched personalities on the internet – and one of the most controversial figures in gambling streaming.
The Numbers Are Staggering:
- Signed a $100 million deal with Kick in June 2023
- Has wagered nearly $3.6 billion on Stake.com (as of mid-2025)
- Made over 1.3 million bets with only a 9.5% win rate
- Admitted to losing roughly $100 million gambling over the years
- His followers have gambled $119 million using his promo codes
The French-Canadian streamer has been open about his struggles, admitting on multiple occasions that he has a gambling addiction. "I'm just easily addicted, so I just shouldn't gamble," xQc remarked during a stream. "But you know what? I can afford to be ill. I'm lucky."
His gambling habits have even led to real-world consequences. In 2023, xQc was banned from all casinos in Quebec after regulators placed him on the province's gambling exclusion list due to concerns about his gambling problem.
Trainwreckstv: The $360 Million Mogul Behind Kick
Tyler Faraz Niknam, better known as Trainwreckstv, isn't just a gambling streamer, he's a co-founder of the entire platform revolutionizing where gambling content lives online.
Trainwrecks' Empire:
- Earned $360 million over 16 months from Stake sponsorships
- Co-founded Kick streaming platform with Stake's owners
- Partial owner of Kick (exact stake undisclosed)
- Won $37.5 million in a single jackpot on Stake's Hex Appeal slot in 2025
- Previously won $22.5 million and $3.75 million on roulette in separate sessions
Trainwreckstv moved from Arizona to Vancouver, Canada in 2021 specifically to have fewer restrictions on his gambling streams. With over 2 million Twitch followers before his transition to Kick, he's been the face of high-stakes slots streaming, often broadcasting marathons lasting 20-40 hours with bets frequently exceeding $1,000 per spin.
When Twitch banned Stake.com in 2022, Trainwrecks didn't just complain – he helped build an alternative. "I'm going to create a platform," he tweeted, "and instead of only contracting large creators, I want to primarily contract small-mid size creators."
Andypsx: SiGMA's Best Streamer of 2025
While xQc and Trainwreckstv dominate the English-speaking gambling stream scene, Andypsx has carved out his own successful niche, earning recognition as the Best Streamer 2025 at the prestigious SiGMA Central Europe Awards.
The SiGMA (Sigma) Awards celebrate excellence in the iGaming industry, and Andypsx's win in the Best Streamer category puts him alongside other industry giants:
- Beat out competitors including Doddy The Viking, Cenkbey, Haddzy, and The Warrior Rongo Keene
- Recognized for "inspiring global audiences with authentic, entertaining, and high-energy gaming content"
- Part of the B2C (Business to Consumer) awards, celebrating brands and personalities that engage directly with players
The award ceremony, held at Rome's iconic Cinecittà Studios in November 2025, showcased Andypsx as a rising force in gambling entertainment, proving that the streaming gambling phenomenon extends far beyond just North American audiences.
Kick vs Twitch: The Platform War That Changed Everything
What Is Kick?
Kick is a video livestreaming platform that launched in December 2022 as a direct competitor to Twitch. But unlike traditional streaming services, Kick has one major differentiator: it was created specifically to welcome gambling content.
Key Facts About Kick:
- Launched December 2022, registered in Australia November 2022
- Offers creators a 95/5 revenue split (vs Twitch's 50/50)
- Reached 50+ million registered users by 2025
- Fourth most-watched livestreaming platform globally (behind YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch)
- Sponsors the Sauber Motorsport racing team in Formula One
Does Stake Own Kick?
This is where things get interesting. Technically, no – but the connections are undeniable.
The Ownership Structure:
- Kick is operated by Kick Streaming Pty Ltd (Australian company)
- Kick Streaming is wholly owned by Easygo Entertainment Pty Ltd
- Easygo Entertainment is owned by:
- Bijan Tehrani (66.67% stake) – Co-founder of Stake.com
- Ed Craven (33.33% stake via Ashwood Holdings) – Co-founder of Stake.com
So while Stake.com doesn't directly own Kick as a corporate entity, the same billionaires who built Stake created and own Kick. They're sister companies under the same founders, with an estimated combined net worth of $5.6 billion.
Why Did Kick Launch? The Twitch Gambling Ban
The story of Kick begins with Twitch's controversial decision in September 2022 to ban gambling streams from unlicensed casino sites.
What Happened:
- September 2022: Twitch streamer "ItsSliker" scammed viewers and fellow streamers out of $300,000 to fund his gambling addiction
- Top streamers like Pokimane, Mizkif, and Ludwig threatened to strike if Twitch didn't ban gambling
- September 20, 2022: Twitch announced it would prohibit streaming from unlicensed gambling sites starting October 18, 2022
- Sites specifically banned: Stake.com, Rollbit.com, Duelbits.com, and Roobet.com
- Sports betting, poker, and fantasy sports remained allowed
For context, gambling had become massively popular on Twitch:
- The "Slots" category was frequently among the top 10 most-watched
- From Q3 2016 to Q2 2022, gambling viewership grew 1,500%
- Q3 2022 saw 137 million hours watched in gambling categories
- Top streamers were earning $1 million+ per month from casino sponsorships
Trainwreckstv's Response: Within weeks of Twitch's ban, Trainwrecks announced plans to create a new platform. By November 2022, Kick Streaming Pty Ltd was registered in Australia. By December 2022, Kick launched publicly.
Why Is Kick So Popular for Gambling Streams?
1. It Was Built FOR Gambling Unlike Twitch, which reluctantly hosted gambling before banning it, Kick was designed from the ground up to welcome casino streaming. The platform's founders own Stake.com, so gambling isn't just allowed, it's encouraged.
2. Unbeatable Creator Revenue Split Kick offers streamers a 95/5 split, meaning creators keep 95% of subscription revenue. Twitch's 50/50 split suddenly looked stingy in comparison. For top gambling streamers earning millions, this difference is massive.
3. Looser Content Policies Kick has significantly more relaxed policies on:
- Copyright infringement (compared to Twitch)
- Mature content
- Gambling content (obviously)
- Harassment guidelines (though still prohibited)
4. Massive Signing Deals Kick attracted top talent with enormous contracts:
- xQc: $100 million (2-year non-exclusive deal)
- Adin Ross: Undisclosed, but reportedly substantial
- Hikaru Nakamura: Chess grandmaster signed to diversify content
- Amouranth, Tfue, BruceDropEmOff: All secured deals in 2023
5. The Synergy with Stake Here's the genius of the business model: Streamers on Kick broadcast themselves playing on Stake.com, using promo codes that drive new users to the casino. Kick gets viewers and growth, Stake gets customers, and streamers get paid from both sides.
Critics call it a "promotional tool" for Stake. Kick's founders call it "creator-first platform design."
The Controversy: Is Kick Just an Advertisement for Stake?
The Critics Say:
- Former Twitch director Marcus "DJWheat" Graham called Kick a "sham" with "red flags present"
- UCLA Gambling Studies Program co-director Timothy Fong expressed concerns about Kick's "lack of transparency"
- Many streamers are paid or given credits by Stake to gamble on stream, making the betting not entirely "real money"
- Gambling content exposes young, vulnerable audiences to casino games
The Defense:
- Ed Craven claims Kick aims to become profitable through advertising in 1-3 years, not just as a Stake funnel
- The platform has expanded beyond gambling, signing creators in chess, gaming, and other niches
- In March 2025, Kick removed partner program payouts for Slots & Casino category streamers, suggesting ethical concerns are being addressed
- New regulations require gambling streams to come from sites that verify users are 18+ (effective February 2025)
The Evidence: When Australia's strict gambling advertising laws prohibited Stake's logo from appearing on Formula 1 cars during races, Kick's logo appeared instead. This suggests the two brands are more intertwined than official corporate structures suggest.
The Ethics Debate: Harmless Entertainment or Dangerous Influence?
The Arguments Against Gambling Streams
1. Targeting Minors Approximately 75% of Twitch's audience is between 16-34 years old, with a significant portion under 18. Gambling streams normalize casino games to impressionable young viewers.
2. Promoting Addiction Both xQc and Trainwreckstv have admitted to gambling problems. Critics argue that watching someone lose millions makes gambling seem acceptable, even exciting.
3. Fake Money & Inflated Wins Many gambling streamers receive credits or "house money" from casinos to play with, meaning they're not risking their own funds. This creates an unrealistic portrayal of gambling outcomes.
4. Follower Losses xQc's followers gambled $119 million using his promo codes. While he profits from these referrals, his viewers are losing real money.
The Arguments For Gambling Streams
1. Personal Freedom Streamers argue that adults should be free to broadcast legal activities. "Get a grip of your own life before fixing mine," xQc told critics.
2. Transparency Unlike traditional casino advertising, streams show real gambling sessions with wins and losses. Viewers see the reality of gambling, not just polished ads.
3. Harm Reduction Messaging Many gambling streamers, including Trainwreckstv, regularly tell viewers "Don't gamble" or "I can afford this; you can't."
4. Economic Reality Streaming is a business. Content creators need revenue, and if gambling sponsorships are legal, why shouldn't streamers accept them?
Where Do We Draw the Line?
The gambling streaming debate mirrors larger questions about influencer responsibility:
- Should platforms ban legal but potentially harmful content?
- Do content creators have a duty to protect their audience?
- What about sports betting, loot boxes in games, or stock trading streams?
Ludwig, one of Twitch's top creators, perhaps said it best: "I don't think the onus of whether you gamble or do not gamble should ever be on the streamer. It should be the platform. The platform is the one that should dictate what is okay and not okay."
The Business Behind the Bets: How Much Do Gambling Streamers Really Make?
Direct Sponsorships
- Trainwreckstv: $360 million from Stake over 16 months
- xQc: $100 million Kick deal (includes mandatory gambling streams)
- Adin Ross: Estimated $900,000 per week at peak
- Drake: Undisclosed sum from Stake
Affiliate Revenue
Streamers earn when viewers sign up and gamble using their promo codes:
- xQc: Generated $119 million in wagers from followers in early months of partnership
- Typical affiliate deals: Revenue share (percentage of losses) or CPA (cost per acquisition – flat fee per sign-up)
Subscription Revenue
On Kick's 95/5 split:
- A creator with 10,000 subscribers at $5/month keeps $47,500 monthly (vs $25,000 on Twitch)
- Top streamers have 50,000+ subscribers
Donations & Tips
Viewers send donations during streams, often hoping to see bigger bets:
- xQc and Trainwreckstv regularly receive $1,000+ donations
- Some donors specifically request certain bet amounts
Total Potential Income: A top-tier gambling streamer could realistically earn:
- Sponsorship: $5-20 million/year
- Affiliates: $1-5 million/year
- Subscriptions: $500K-2 million/year
- Donations: $200K-1 million/year
Estimated Range: $7-28 million per year for the absolute top creators.
The Future of Gambling Streams
Platform Regulations Tightening
- Kick removed partner payouts for gambling content (March 2025)
- Twitch continues to ban unlicensed casino streams
- New regulations requiring age verification for gambling sites
Market Growth
Despite controversies, gambling streaming continues growing:
- Online gambling market projected to reach $153.6 billion by 2030
- Crypto casinos like Stake gaining mainstream acceptance
- More jurisdictions legalizing online gambling (creating licensed alternatives)
The Kick Experiment
Will Kick survive as more than just a Stake promotional tool?
- The platform has signed non-gambling creators (chess players, gamers, IRL streamers)
- Launched developer fund ($100,000) to build third-party tools
- Partnered with data analytics firms to support emerging streamers
- Achieved 317 million watch hours in March 2025
If Kick can diversify beyond gambling and become profitable through advertising, it may prove the skeptics wrong.
What This Means for Crypto Casinos
The rise of gambling streamers has been a goldmine for crypto casinos, particularly Stake.com:
Why Crypto Casinos Love Streamers:
- Massive Reach: xQc alone has 11+ million Twitch followers, 1+ million on Kick
- Authentic Marketing: Viewers see real gameplay, creating trust
- Viral Moments: Big wins generate clips shared millions of times
- Younger Demo: Streamers' audiences skew younger and tech-savvy
- Crypto-Native Audience: Viewers comfortable with crypto payments
The Numbers Speak:
- Stake.com generated $2.6+ billion revenue in 2022
- Their founders became billionaires (Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani: $2.8B each)
- The platform became the #1 crypto gambling site globally
Lessons for Aspiring Gambling Streamers
If you're thinking about entering this space, here's what the top streamers teach us:
1. Be Transparent About Sponsorships
xQc and Trainwreckstv openly admit they're paid to gamble. Hiding sponsorships destroys trust.
2. Show the Losses
Don't just highlight the wins. Trainwreckstv's authenticity about his losses helped build his following.
3. Warn Your Audience
Top streamers regularly remind viewers that gambling is risky and they shouldn't copy them.
4. Diversify Your Content
Don't become just a gambling streamer. xQc built his following on gaming variety first.
5. Understand the Ethics
You will face criticism. Be prepared to defend your choices or reconsider your content.
6. Know the Legal Landscape
Different jurisdictions have different laws. Research what's legal in your region and where you can promote.
Final Thoughts: Entertainment or Exploitation?
The world of gambling streaming exists in a moral gray zone. On one hand, you have entertainers making millions by broadcasting legal activities to consenting adult audiences. On the other, you have vulnerable people, including minors, being exposed to content that could lead to financial ruin.
xQc, Trainwreckstv, and Andypsx represent the pinnacle of this controversial industry. They've turned clicking buttons on slot machines into must-watch content, built empires worth hundreds of millions, and fundamentally changed how online casinos market themselves.
Whether you see them as savvy entrepreneurs or reckless promoters of addiction likely depends on your personal values. What's undeniable is their massive influence on both the streaming and gambling industries.
As regulations evolve and platforms like Kick mature, one thing is certain: gambling streams aren't going anywhere. The only question is how they'll be regulated, who will profit, and whether the potential harms can be mitigated.
Join the Conversation
What's your take on gambling streamers? Should platforms like Kick exist, or should all gambling content be banned? Do streamers have a responsibility to protect their audience, or is it on viewers to make their own choices?
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Remember: Gambling should be entertainment, not a way to make money. Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and seek help if gambling becomes a problem.
Sources & Further Reading:
- SiGMA Central Europe Awards 2025 Winners List
- Twitch Gambling Ban Announcement (September 2022)
- xQc Kick Deal Announcement (June 2023)
- Trainwreckstv Earnings Disclosure (September 2025)
- Kick Platform Ownership Records (Australian Securities & Investments Commission)
