A quote by Oleksandr ‘s1mple’ Kostyljev has gained virality on Twitter/X, as the Counter-Strike legend alluded to a career change after his Na’Vi contract; however, users have pointed out that the words were likely a sarcastic jab.
Streaming Counter-Strike on Twitch, the Ukrainian made the remarks regarding his potential future. Referring to casino streams, he stated:
“Damn, I’ve never dipped into this swamp before. Maybe I should give it a shot? I could make some cash when my contract with Na’Vi ends. They say I could never stream it on Twitch.”
The quote from the livestream was shared on the CS2News X account, with many pointing out that the comment was sarcastic.
Despite the questionable nature of the comments, the scenario still raises questions on Twitch’s relationship with gambling, and Counter-Strike gambling specifically, with case opening content being amongst the most popular on the platform. So could s1mple really stream casino content if he wanted to?
Twitch’s relationship with gambling and Counter-Strike
According to Twitch’s Community Guidelines, casino, gambling or slots content is not in itself banned; however, Twitch do not allow “users to share links or affiliate codes to sites that contain slots, roulette, or dice games.” Effectively, this rule removes the revenue pathway of most casino streamers, whose goal is to filter their audience into casino games through affiliate links, guaranteeing them commission.
Additionally, Twitch explicitly prohibits the following domains: stake.com, rollbit.com, duelbits.com, roobet.com, blaze.com, gamdom.com
Twitch also has a Counter-Strike-specific provision in the Community Guidelines, relating to the infamous practice of using skins as deposits for betting (AKA skins gambling), with the hope of winning other skins or, in some cases, real money.
“Promotion or sponsorship of skins gambling, such as for CSGO skins, is prohibited under our policy.”
Despite Twitch targeting skins gambling, streamers are still free to open cases on stream, with Mark ‘ohnePixel’ Zimmermann, 100T Founder Matthew ‘Nadeshot’ Haag, and Timothy ‘TimTheTatMan’ Betar amongst streamers opening approximately $500,000 of in-game items on July 11.
Many view the ability of streamers to use case and item openings as their main form of content as an effective loophole to Twitch’s relationship with Counter-Strike gambling, allowing streamers to promote case opening as a form of gambling.
Lobanjica criticises the hypocrisy of Counter-Strike’s relationship with gambling
Streamer and semi-professional player, Nikola “Lobanjica” Mijomanović, seemingly reacted to reactions to the original statement, pointing out that much of the Counter-Strike scene is built on gambling, therefore opposing casino streams is somewhat inconsistent.
“CS2 community shocked when s1mple mentions casino streams. “HE WILL LOSE MY RESPECT.” Same CS2 community hyped to watch 3 streamers unboxing $300,000 without the gamba category or any censorship.
“Oh yeah, and every CS2 major has been funded by gamba sponsors (every talent is paid with gamba money), most tier 1 teams have gamba sponsors, you don’t think so? Check 1xbet and it shows you “live casino” on the site. ah and even NaVi have a partnership with a case opening site, and the Major MVP has an affiliate code on his Twitch stream. But… hey… it all makes sense.”
s1mple almost clutches while drinking beer
In lighter news, s1mple almost pulled off the clutch of the century on the same stream, as he turned a 1v5 into a 1v4 while drinking a beer.
The Ukrainian legend drank his beverage while he remained unchecked in the “Gandalf” position on Dust II, getting a few free kills before losing the final duel to almost turn the round on its head.
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Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.
