Twitch Bans Promo But Lets Gambling Logos Run Wild at StarLadder Major Budapest 2025

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Twitch Bans Promo But Lets Gambling Logos Run Wild at StarLadder Major Budapest 2025

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Twitch Bans Promo But Lets Gambling Logos Run Wild at StarLadder Major Budapest 2025

26 Nov 2025, 09:49

Twitch is back in the slippery gambling game with the Rollbit sponsorship at the StarLadder Budapest CS2 Major, and the rules are about as clear as mud. Officially, Twitch bans direct promotion of gambling sites on stream, meaning no URLs, no promo codes, and verbal shoutouts. But the logos? Oh, those can stay loud and proud on jerseys, stage banners, and the broadcast overlay.

As Twitch told Dexerto:

“Gambling rules apply specifically to direct promotion or linking, not branding displayed on jerseys, stage signage, or other physical materials that appear during an event.”

You can’t talk about it, but you can definitely show it. That’s like telling a kid not to run in the hall but letting them sprint while saying they’re just “walking fast.” As Asmongold put it in his rant:

“What the hell is wrong with you? You can’t promote it, but the brand’s everywhere. These weasels, bro. It’s happening, man. Just take the money.”

According to Asmon, Twitch just wants to cash in without actually taking responsibility. The hypocrisy is real, and most streamers agree it’s a mixed message that leaves everyone scratching their heads.

StarLadder Budapest CS2 Major: What’s Happening on Stream?

This Major started recently at the MVM Dome in Hungary, featuring 32 teams battling it out over multiple stages for a $1.25 million prize pool. Twitch and Kick are both streaming the event, but Twitch has drawn the line on cosponsors promoting Rollbit directly, a move that’s left some creators hopping over to Kick or dealing with restrictions.

Technical Issues and Streaming Problems

To stir the pot a little more, the opening day was marred by technical troubles. Twitch and YouTube streams had audio glitches, casting audio dropping out during matches, and even a two-hour broadcast outage during the FaZe Clan vs Lynn Vision game.

StarLadder apologized, stating:

“We know we fell short today, and it impacted your experience. We’re working hard on fixing stream, audio, and stability issues.”

Gambling Restrictions Fuel Community Frustration

StarLadder implemented a 3-minute delay on the official CSTV feed and banned some co-streamers from mentioning Rollbit directly. This has pushed certain creators to exclusively stream the Major on Kick or deal with heavy restrictions on Twitch.

Some voices from Reddit said:

Poorbrick: “Starladder doing starladder things”
PEDROtheArticst: “Is Starladder intentionally making the YT/Twitch streams shit so that we watch on Kick?”

The whole situation has tinges of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” with Twitch caught between public image and sponsorship dollars.

Branding Loopholes: Everyone’s Doing It

Twitch’s gambling policy might seem sketchy at first, but honestly, it’s not that different from what you see in the sports world. Big soccer clubs like Everton and Bournemouth proudly wear gambling brands on their jerseys, even if those same companies get banned from TV ads in the UK. In other countries, like Spain and Italy, betting sponsorships are banned altogether, but clubs still sign deals for markets where the rules are looser. It’s all about playing the legal loopholes and letting the branding do the talking.

Twitch’s move with Rollbit at the StarLadder Major? Pretty much the same playbook: keep the logos visible, avoid direct promotion, and let the money roll in. So while streamers are calling out Twitch for hypocrisy, it’s really just business as usual: same game, different field.

Is Twitch Really Against Gambling or Just Playing Both Sides?

Looking at the landscape, it’s clear Twitch is walking a tightrope. After banning gambling sites like Stake and Duelbits in 2022 for guideline violations, Twitch now greenlights major events with gambling sponsorships.

The streaming platform confirmed Rollbit’s sponsorship at the StarLadder Major does not violate their terms of service because it remains limited to physical branding, avoiding direct promotion during streams.

While this appeases some Twitch executives, many community members see it as “cashing in when convenient” while trying to keep a socially responsible façade.

At the end of the day, banning promo codes but allowing huge branding is basically a loophole that still promotes gambling. Plus, many top creators quietly affiliate with gambling sites off-stream, muddying the waters even more.