xQc Signs Lucrative Deal with Gambling Streaming Service

Félix Lengyel, widely recognized as xQc within the online community, has recently signed a substantial two-year contract worth approximately $70 million with Kick, as reported by the New York Times. The agreement also includes additional incentives that could potentially elevate the total value to a staggering $100 million.

With his roots on Amazon-owned Twitch, Lengyel, a 27-year-old Canadian, has built a massive following since his debut on the platform in 2014. As a former professional Overwatch player, his charismatic personality and gaming expertise have captivated an audience of around 12 million dedicated followers.

Ryan Morrison, Lengyel's agent, described the deal as surpassing the financial scale of most professional athletes and megastars, labeling it as one of the most significant agreements in the entertainment industry.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the collaboration, Lengyel stated, 

Notably, Twitch has traditionally maintained a strict policy against gambling-related content. However, Kick stands apart by wholeheartedly embracing such content, effectively providing a platform for streamers to engage with their audiences through gambling-related activities.

Financial support for Kick originates from prominent online gambling sites in Australia, including Easygo Gaming and Stake.com, according to the New York Times report. The platform was launched in 2023, aiming to disrupt the market dominance of Twitch.

In terms of revenue sharing, Kick only takes a modest five-percent cut from streamers' subscription earnings, significantly lower than the staggering 50 percent claimed by Twitch. Ed Craven, the CEO of Kick, emphasized that the company is willing to operate at a loss initially to acquire a larger market share and challenge Twitch's monopoly.

Despite Kick's impressive performance, boasting an average of 110,000 daily live streams, it is essential to note the significant discrepancy in numbers when compared to Twitch's extensive user base. Twitch currently hosts over seven million monthly streamers, with a staggering 31 million daily viewers.

As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, Félix Lengyel's decision to join Kick highlights the allure and potential of the platform, particularly for creators seeking new opportunities and greater creative freedom. It remains to be seen how this collaboration will impact the industry as both platforms compete for the attention of gaming enthusiasts and the wider online community.