SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom has recognised an improvement in Twitch’s accuracy in labelling mature content after reviewing the streaming platform’s classification guidelines.
In June 2023, Twitch updated its content classification guidelines due to a rise in content aimed at mature audiences, including gambling streams.
The platform now requires streamers to apply content classification labels that indicate the presence of mature themes in their streams.
Twitch provided streamers with six specific labels for mature content: mature-rated games, sexual themes, drugs, intoxication or excessive tobacco use, violent and graphic depictions, significant profanity or vulgarity, and gambling.
As the UK’s regulator for video-sharing platforms and online safety, Ofcom evaluated Twitch’s rule changes and published its findings earlier this month.
The 66-page report found that content labelling improved “significantly” after the introduction of CCLs, but noted that viewing behaviour and the types of content streamed on Twitch remained largely unchanged.
The report stated: “Following the CCL change, we saw an increase in creators labelling mature content accurately. We also saw a decrease in mislabeling of streams as mature.
“Additionally, our analysis established a causal link between the CCL change and an increase in creators accurately labelling mature content.”
Ofcom specifically evaluated gambling streams and found that before the CCL change, around 65% of gambling streams were accurately labeled as mature.
The evaluation did not specify the exact percentage of accurately labeled gambling streams after the changes but suggested there was “a sharp jump” in accuracy within 30 days of the CCL change.
Twitch continues to reduce the accessibility of mature content, particularly gambling streams, to under-18 audiences with updated rules and regulations.
In 2022, the streaming platform banned streamers from broadcasting footage from several unlicensed gambling websites, including Stake.com, Rollbit.com, Duelbits.com, and Roobet.com.
Recently, Twitch introduced a new feature that allows viewers to block specific CCL categories when browsing streams, serving as a default filter for underage viewers.
