Stake's Dilemma: Are Top Kick Streamers Jumping Ship?

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-03-27

Let's talk about a situation that feels a bit like a sports drama. Imagine your favorite team's star player gets upset about their contract. They decide to leave, which is bad enough. But then they sign with your biggest rival. Now imagine they still show up to practice on your team's field every day. That's kind of the awkward spot Stake finds itself in right now. It's a strange twist for the crypto casino that built its own streaming platform. Stake created Kick back in 2022 for a specific reason. They needed a place where their sponsored streamers could play online slots freely. This was right after Twitch banned content from unregulated casinos like Stake in October 2022. That ban was a massive shock to the system. Almost overnight, the slot gambling category on Twitch lost 97% of its viewers. Major streamers and the casinos that sponsored them were suddenly without a home. Stake saw an opportunity and helped streamer Trainwreckstv launch Kick as an alternative. ### The Rise of Kick The pitch was simple and attractive for creators. Kick offered streamers a 95% subscription revenue split, plus all their tips. It positioned itself as a free-speech platform with fewer restrictions. The exodus from Twitch began quickly. Major gambling personalities like Roshtein and Xposed moved over. Then came bigger names: - Adin Ross, who now has nearly 2 million followers on Kick - xQc, who signed a deal reportedly worth $100 million - Chess streamer GMHikaru - Popular creator Amouranth - Gambling streamer Cuffem For a while, it seemed like a perfect ecosystem. Stake sponsored streamers, those streamers promoted Stake on Kick, and everyone benefited. But lately, the ground has started to shift.  ### The First Cracks Appear The first major sign of trouble came in March 2024. Streamer Xposed, real name Cody Burnett, announced he was leaving Stake for a competitor, Roobet. What made it awkward? He announced this move while still streaming on Kick, the platform Stake created. It's like using someone's stage to advertise for their competitor. And Xposed isn't alone in questioning his partnership. Even Trainwreckstv, who helped found Kick, has publicly wondered about his future with Stake. This raises a big question. If the streamers who helped build Kick are now exploring other casino sponsorships, could a mass departure be next? Are we seeing the beginning of a trend where creators diversify their partnerships, even while using the platform Stake built? It's a risky situation for Stake. They invested heavily to create a safe harbor for their marketing. Now that harbor is being used to sail ships to other ports. The coming months will be crucial. Will Stake tighten its rules on Kick? Will more streamers follow Xposed's lead? Only time will tell, but the rumblings of discontent are getting harder to ignore. The relationship between streamers, platforms, and sponsors is always evolving. This situation shows that even the most cleverly built ecosystems can face unexpected challenges. For professionals watching this space, it's a fascinating case study in brand loyalty, platform control, and the independent spirit of top creators.