Who Owns Kick? The Casino Empire Behind the Streaming Platform
Kick, the rapidly growing live streaming platform, has made waves by attracting some of the biggest names in content creation, offering lucrative contracts and looser content guidelines than Twitch. However, behind the platform’s explosive rise lies a controversial connection to the online gambling world — specifically, a casino empire that has fueled both its success and its criticism.
Kick and Its Connection to Stake.com
Kick was launched in late 2022 with significant backing from Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, the co-founders of the cryptocurrency casino Stake.com. While Kick is officially operated under a separate company, the relationship between the two platforms is undeniable. Craven has publicly confirmed his involvement in funding and advising Kick, and several prominent Kick streamers — including Trainwreckstv — have either openly promoted Stake or have exclusive gambling deals tied to the platform.
Stake.com is one of the largest crypto casinos in the world, offering slots, live casino games, and sports betting using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. The company is officially registered in Curaçao, a popular licensing jurisdiction for online gambling.
The Strategy: A Platform for Unrestricted Content
One of the driving reasons behind the creation of Kick was Twitch’s crackdown on unregulated gambling streams, especially those involving crypto casinos like Stake. When Twitch banned Stake.com gambling content in October 2022, several streamers — including Trainwreckstv — moved to Kick. This migration was not coincidental. Kick offered these creators a haven where gambling content could continue without strict moderation.
Kick positioned itself as a creator-friendly alternative, offering 95-5 revenue splits and relaxed content rules. This strategy directly appealed to influencers who felt restricted or demonetized on Twitch, especially those involved in gambling promotions.
The Business Model and Revenue Streams
Kick’s business model is still evolving, but it appears to be heavily subsidized by the enormous profits of Stake.com. This allows the platform to offer generous financial deals to streamers without relying heavily on advertising or subscriptions — at least for now.
The long-term sustainability of Kick remains a topic of debate. Critics argue that its funding model is tied too closely to the gambling industry, making it vulnerable to regulatory scrutiny and public backlash. However, for now, Kick continues to grow rapidly, fueled by a mix of high-profile streamers, gambling-friendly policies, and aggressive marketing.
Ethical and Legal Controversies
The link between Kick and Stake.com has raised significant ethical and legal questions. Stake operates in a regulatory gray zone, being banned in several major jurisdictions like the United States and the United Kingdom. While Kick itself does not host gambling content directly, it provides a platform where such content can flourish — often promoting unlicensed crypto gambling to a global audience.
This close relationship has led some to label Kick as a “Trojan horse” for Stake’s continued reach into the streaming world. While not illegal in most countries, the blurred line between entertainment and gambling promotion remains controversial, especially among younger viewers.
Conclusion
Kick is more than just a streaming platform — it is an extension of a larger crypto gambling empire led by Stake.com and its founders. While it has disrupted the streaming industry with creator-first policies and massive financial deals, its roots in the casino world cannot be ignored. As regulators begin to scrutinize crypto gambling and its advertising methods, the future of Kick may be shaped just as much by legal battles as by streamer contracts.
