Twitch star Imane “Pokimane” made headlines on January 23, 2024, after a heated exchange with one of her viewers during her recent broadcast. The incident occurred during the Just Chatting segment when Pokimane noticed a message from a Twitch user named “joshrm99,” who had been timed out for 600 seconds by one of Pokimane’s moderators.
In the message, the viewer questioned Pokimane’s stance on gambling, asking why she talked down on it and didn’t realize that adults can make their own decisions. Pokimane expressed her displeasure with the viewer’s question, calling them an “absolute idiot” for believing that gambling is only advertised to adults on the platform. She clarified that gambling is being livestreamed on Twitch.tv and criticized the viewer’s choice of words.
Later, Pokimane clarified that she was “not mad” at people who gamble on Twitch but personally believed that it should not be streamed on the platform. She acknowledged that everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the matter.
Gambling on Twitch has been a contentious topic, with various streamers advocating for its removal from the platform. In September 2022, Twitch issued new guidelines restricting gambling on unregulated websites. This decision received mixed reactions from notable gambling content creators such as Felix “xQc,” Tyler “Trainwreckstv,” and Adin Ross.
The incident involving Pokimane sparked discussions on the r/LivestreamFail subreddit, with over 245 comments from the community. Many users expressed their fatigue with the recurring gambling-related drama, stating that the cycle never seems to end.
Pokimane, with over nine million followers on her channel, is a prominent figure in the livestreaming industry. She received the Legacy Award at The Streamer Awards 2022, further solidifying her influence and impact on the platform.
Overall, the incident involving Pokimane and the viewer highlights the ongoing debate surrounding gambling on Twitch and the differing opinions within the livestreaming community.