Premier influencer
Félix “xQc” Lengyel is not just a popular Twitch streamer. He is one of the most popular streamers of all time. He was the most-watched streamer on the platform in both 2020 and 2021 and currently ranks fifth in followers with 10.6 million. As such, he has a lot of influence, particularly on a younger audience.
That’s what makes xQc’s return to online gambling streaming troublesome for many of his fans.
xQc made his name as a video game streamer, primarily playing Overwatch. He is one of the best in the world at the game, even playing professionally as a member of the Overwatch League’s Dallas Fuel. These days, he has branched out into the “Just Chatting” category in addition to gaming.
He also used to stream online slots, but stopped in June 2021 because of a lack of self control, saying he was “slightly, if not moderately” addicted. Lengyel also apologized for getting people to sign up for online casinos through his affiliate referrals.
xQc unapologetic
But earlier this week, xQc began streaming online gambling once again. And he not only isn’t apologetic about it, he has straight-up rescinded his apology from last year. On Discord, he wrote, “I apologized because people led me to believe there was a problem. I was wrong. There isn’t any problem. Sorry for apologizing.”
Basically, his position is that he enjoys gambling, so he is going to do it and for whatever stakes he pleases, regardless of what anyone thinks.
“I’m not here to be a role model,” xQc said. “I’m here to have some fun, so I’ll do it until it becomes boring. Turn the computer off and go speak with your parents and peers if you want a role model for your moral compass.”
On Twitch, xQc lashed out at viewers who he believed criticized him for streaming online gambling while at the same time cheering on others.
“Everyone was a bunch of bitches,” xQc added. “But when some other streamers [decided to resume sponsored gambling streams], everybody flipped and said, ‘Oh dude, if I had that much money, I would do it too! I respect this guy!’”
Interestingly, xQc’s return to gambling streaming (and to be clear, he does not do it all of the time) comes only about two weeks after he admitted to losing almost $2 million gambling last month. On a podcast stream, another top streamer, Imane “Pokimane” Anys, asked xQc if he would enjoy gambling as much if he couldn’t stream it. He said yes, admitting, “Yeah, I’m addicted. I lost $2m…$1.85m this month,” which shocked Pokimane.
Pokimane has taken up a sort of anti-gambling cause recently, particularly when it comes to streamers broadcasting their own high stakes gambling. In April, one of her viewers said in chat that he had lost $60,000 gambling online after being inspired by high-stakes gambling streamer Trainwreck’s exploits. Seeing the admission, Pokimane stopped her current discussion to express her concern and urge the viewer to seek counseling.
Trainwreck recently scored the largest non-jackpot cash in online slots history, banking $22.5 million.
