Live Streaming Channels An Opportunity For Online Poker Operators

The online poker industry may have been presented with its next big PR opportunity, after poker and non-poker players alike seem to have developed an appetite for watching live streams of players gambling online at such sites as Bovada. One of the most popular sites to catch all the action on is Twitch.tv, an Amazon owned gaming-related platform which enjoys more than 43 million viewers every month, some of which tune in to watch their favorite poker players talk through their game whilst putting thousands of dollars on the line.
One such player is WSOP bracelet winner Jason Somerville, who after leaving Ultimate poker has continued broadcasting his Run It Up challenge on Twitch.tv, to the delight of his now 38,000+ followers. The 27 year-old pro is a popular choice for poker fan, as Somerville has a knack for engaging with viewers and explaining his poker actions in an interesting and entertaining way. As he explains:
“I stay involved in the game by streaming four or five times a week, creating enjoyable, diverse content, and working hard. I don’t believe you have to frequently attend live tournaments or wade into heated debates in forum arenas in order to make a positive impact on the game.”
Anther more recreational player who has also apparently caused an uptick in traffic whenever he is live streaming, albeit on a 4 minute delay, include World of Warcraft gamer Byron “Reckful” Bernstein, who has a massive 274,000 Twitch followers. Another is ‘stickyrice1’, whose online antics at Bovada in which he ran a $2,000 bankroll up to $40,000 in one night playing $10/$20 NLHE was watched by thousands of his Twitch.tv folllowers.
Needless to say, with such increasing interest in watching gamers and poker players competing online, operators are now exploring the potential such a unique experience could have in expanding their broader customer base.