Live Hamster Racing Events on Twitch Attract Real Bets
Online streaming platform Twitch might be hesitant to accommodate various types of gambling material, yet it's adding a new component to its selection. The platform now features hamster races, where bettors can follow each race live on Twitch.
Hamsters.gg, a website that describes itself as the hub of the "world's first live-streamed hamster race," serves as a gateway to the races. The Twitch site contains a prominent link to the Hamstersgg page, where users can catch the races.
Inspecting the domain name's history reveals that it was recently registered in May. The website's races and betting activity commenced less than two weeks ago.
Speedy Rodent Races
Little information about the platform is readily available. Its anonymity increases due to the platform's requirement of only accepting bets through cryptocurrency. Creating a username and password is not an option; linking a crypto wallet is the sole method.
Jonah Blake, a Twitter user, tweeted about the site, speculating that it could be located “somewhere” in Europe. He added that there have been bets as high as $2,000 and, at times, as many as 4,000 viewers between Hamsters’ platforms.
The races reportedly occur every hour, with the hamsters traveling through tubes to the finish line. The first hamster crossing the line is declared the winner, and gamblers who bet on the victor receive their earnings.
An overhead camera is mounted on each tube, according to the website's claims. The owners insist that the hamsters are not forced to race and that they can choose not to exit the gate when it opens. It's uncertain whether bets on a hamster not racing are refunded.
PZ, another Twitter user, disclosed that some hamsters, such as Rocky and Buster, can garner wagers up to $500. One competitor, CK, is noted for winning only 8 out of 334 races, making him an underdog at any sportsbook.
The Twitch page attracts a mere 942 followers. There's also a Telegram channel, hamstersgg_official, with 6,687 members.
Another Telegram feed, hamstersgg_betting, is primarily focused on pumping a crypto linked to the platform. It has accumulated 160,382 subscribers.
Questionable Move by Twitch
Less than two months ago, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy voiced concerns over online gambling. Speaking with Twitch streamer Filian, he emphasized that gambling sites must "adhere to the regulations of most countries..."
Twitch had previously banned many gaming-related content, with many operators, especially ones with a Curacao license, accused of working with influencers to push their platforms. These operators allegedly lack the protections found in "most major countries."
It's surprising, then, that Twitch would allow Hamsters.gg on its platform, considering its recent declining viewership. One might argue that perhaps the platform hasn't had enough time to intervene, but two weeks should be ample for Twitch's and Amazon's advanced in-house development teams to detect a gambling site.
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Source: www.casino.org
