Inside Kick.com: The People, the Money, and the Risks

Kick.com has rapidly emerged as one of the most talked-about platforms in the livestreaming space. Positioned as a direct competitor to Twitch, the platform has attracted attention for its generous revenue-sharing model, high-profile streamer signings, and controversial ties to the online gambling industry. But what exactly is Kick.com, who is behind it, and how much is it actually worth?

Below is a breakdown of the platform’s business model, ownership structure, valuation, and the factors fueling its rapid growth.

What Is Kick.com?

Kick.com is a livestreaming platform launched in late 2022, offering a familiar interface to services like Twitch while promoting a notably different business approach. It primarily serves gamers, casino streamers, “just chatting” broadcasters, and adult-themed content creators.

What sets Kick apart is its creator-focused revenue model: streamers retain 95% of their subscription income, a significantly higher percentage than Twitch’s 50/50 or 70/30 split. The platform also enforces more lenient content moderation policies, which has drawn both praise and criticism.

Since its launch, Kick has secured contracts with some of the internet’s most influential and polarizing content creators, including Adin Ross, xQc, Amouranth, and Trainwreckstv. Many of these streamers had publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Twitch’s increasingly strict guidelines prior to joining Kick.

Though often compared to Twitch, Kick positions itself as a fundamentally different product — one shaped by high-risk capital, decentralized content control, and aggressive talent acquisition strategies.

Kick.com Domain History and Acquisition

Kick.com, originally registered in 1995 (WHOIS records), changed ownership multiple times before its $276,077 sale in 2020.

The name remained largely unused until late 2022, when it was acquired for the launch of the current livestreaming platform. Securing a short, brandable domain of this caliber reflects a clear intention to build a global-facing product with mainstream recognition.

Who Owns Kick.com?

Kick is operated by Kick Streaming Pty Ltd, an Australian company wholly owned by Easygo Entertainment, which is also known for operating the cryptocurrency casino platform Stake.com. Building on their success with Stake, founders Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani ventured into the livestreaming space by launching Kick.com.

Although Stake.com isn’t officially registered as Kick.com’s owner, the two platforms share notable ties in funding, staffing, and marketing. Stake branding appears in some Kick campaigns, and several Kick-affiliated streamers openly promote Stake on their channels.

Another central figure is Tyler Niknam, better known as Trainwreckstv, who played a major role in shaping Kick during its early development. While not listed as an owner, he has been publicly positioned as the platform’s face and has said his involvement is driven by the goal of giving streamers more control.

Despite the formal separation between Kick and Stake, the platform’s funding sources and operational philosophy are closely aligned with the online gambling sector.

How Much Is Kick.com Worth?

As a privately held company, Kick does not publicly disclose its financials. However, industry estimates based on user metrics and projected revenue suggest the platform’s value is substantial.

By early 2025, Kick had surpassed 317 million hours watched per month and maintained over 440,000 average concurrent viewers. Its most prominent streamers signed deals reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars. Annual revenue is estimated at $177.3 million (Growjo, 2025).

Using standard valuation models for high-growth technology startups — typically 7 to 14 times annual revenue — Kick’s estimated worth falls between $1.2 billion and $2.5 billion. In 2024, co-founder Ed Craven reportedly declined a $1 billion acquisition offer, citing continued growth and long-term vision.

While these numbers remain speculative, Kick has clearly achieved unicorn status in under two years.

What Explains Kick’s Rapid Growth — and Its Controversy?

Kick’s rise has been driven by four key factors:

• A 95/5 revenue share that strongly favors creators
• More relaxed content rules compared to Twitch’s stricter moderation policies
• A platform-friendly stance on cryptocurrency
• High-value contracts for top-tier streamers

These features have attracted a wave of users and creators, many of whom were dissatisfied with Twitch’s platform decisions or monetization policies.

However, Kick’s growth has also generated considerable controversy. Critics have pointed to instances of livestreamed illegal activity, hate speech, and adult content that would not be tolerated on mainstream platforms. The company has also faced scrutiny over its funding ties to the crypto gambling sector — a regulatory gray area in many jurisdictions.

Kick has enhanced its content moderation by integrating automated tools and expanding its human moderation team, aiming to better enforce its community guidelines. Despite these efforts, the platform continues to maintain a more permissive approach compared to its competitors, a characteristic that contributes to both its appeal and its associated risks.

Can Kick Sustain Its Momentum?

Kick’s future depends on its ability to overcome several structural and reputational challenges. Among them:

• Achieving long-term profitability without overreliance on casino-backed funding
• Navigating potential legal issues related to gambling associations
• Scaling moderation and infrastructure as its global user base expands
• Retaining talent without unsustainable spending

Nonetheless, Kick has clear advantages: a distinct market position, significant capital reserves, rapid user acquisition, and a dedicated community. In an industry dominated for years by Amazon (Twitch) and Google (YouTube), Kick is one of the few platforms to mount a serious challenge.

Most Popular Categories on Kick.com

Kick’s content is diverse, but a few categories dominate the platform’s traffic:

• Just Chatting – Often used for casual conversation, reaction content, and commentary
• Casino and Gambling – A major driver of traffic, especially for crypto gambling streams
• Gaming – Including titles like Grand Theft Auto V, Call of Duty, and Fortnite
• Hot Tub / Pools – Loosely moderated and often trending
• IRL – Streamers filming their daily lives, travel, or stunts

Unlike Twitch, Kick allows more adult-oriented and gambling content, which has helped it attract streamers who were banned or demonetized on other platforms.

Alternatives to Kick.com for Gambling Livestreams

As of 2025, Kick.com is the primary platform openly supporting crypto gambling livestreams. Twitch and YouTube have banned or restricted such content since 2022.

DLive.tv is a smaller platform that has historically permitted gambling-related content without stringent moderation. It does not focus on gambling and has a limited audience.

Currently, Kick.com stands as the leading platform for gambling livestreams, with DLive.tv serving as a less prominent alternative.

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Since its launch in late 2022, Kick.com has rapidly emerged as a prominent player in the livestreaming industry. Backed by billionaires, powered by controversial revenue sources, and fueled by a push for creator control, it represents a radical departure from the industry norm.

Its business model has sparked both interest and concern, and while its long-term viability remains uncertain, Kick has already reshaped the conversation around how — and by whom — livestreaming platforms are built.

For now, Kick continues to grow, invest, and disrupt. Whether it can sustain that momentum remains one of the most important questions in online media today.