2022 Sliker Scam Controversy

Overview

The 2022 Sliker Scam Controversy refers to an incident where English Twitch streamer ItsSliker messaged numerous fans and streamers over several years claiming his bank account was locked and he needed to borrow money, promising he'd pay them back in a few months but failing to do so. Victims of the scam, which include a cancer patient and some of the top Twitch streamers, began sharing messages and videos from Sliker asking for money on September 17th, 2022, resulting in Sliker admitting to the scam in a tearful apology video and blaming his gambling addiction. The incident inspired calls to ban gambling streams from Twitch shortly after.

History

On September 17th, 2022, Twitch streamer mikelpee shared a video on Twitch^[1] he received from streamer ItsSliker where Sliker asks for a loan to pay some bills, claiming his bank account got locked. He said he's looking for people who "actually work" and claimed in two months he'll pay him back, saying "don't feel forced to say yes" and that he asked a few streamers who couldn't help. The video was posted to /r/livestreamfail^[2] that day, where it gained over 23,000 upvotes in two days (reupload shown below).

In a comment on the /r/livestreamfail post, Redditor^[3] 0161MannyOnTheMap016 shared several Imgur links to screenshotted DMs where Sliker purportedly asked Discord users for money using similar excuses, some dating back two years (examples shown below). One DM reveals that a fan sent Sliker $7,000.

Later that day on September 17th, Twitch streamer lukeafk revealed on stream that he also purportedly got scammed out of $27,000 by Sliker. The clip was shared on /r/livestreamfail^[4] that same day, garnering over 5,700 upvotes in two days (shown below, left). In the video, lukeafk admited it was "dumb" to give him that much money but said he thought he could trust Sliker as they were friends. Lukeafk shared the DM where Sliker asked him for money. He then hypothesized that Sliker used the money for gambling. As the accusations came to light, Sliker's mods, some of whom he allegedly also scammed, edited his Twitch channel to tell viewers that he was a scammer (shown below, right). On the night of the 17th, Twitter^[5] user and esports reporter Jake Lucky shared the news, garnering over 17,000 likes in two days.

Throughout September 17th and 18th, 2022, people continued to come forward accusing Sliker of scamming them. On September 18th, Twitter^[6] user @dafran accused Sliker of scamming him out of $1,000. Later that day, Twitter^[7] user and streamer @Mendo shared DMs claiming he scammed her. Twitter^[8][9] users @brugtoober and @KittyCatJenna made similar claims, also sharing DMs. Sliker purportedly managed to borrow $100,000 from gambling streamer Trainwreck and scammed over $300,000 total from people.^[10] He also borrowed money from Hasan Piker and Mizkif, the latter of whom he paid back.

Sliker's Apology

On September 18th, 2022, Sliker went live on Twitch to address the allegations (shown below). In the video, he cried and admitted to scamming his fans and fellow streamers. He talked about how he got addicted to gambling through CS:GO skins and developed a gambling addiction and that he planned to use the money from people to pay off gambling debts. In the video, he claimed he never intended to scam anyone but never told anyone the money was for gambling in his requests. He also claimed he will pay everyone back if it takes him until he's 90.

Hasan Piker Confronts Sliker

Following his apology on September 18th, 2022, Sliker joined Mizkif and Hasan Piker to discuss the situation. During the stream, Piker asked Sliker if he would accept a gambling sponsorship if offered. Sliker then revealed that a casino offered him a sponsorship after the scam allegations came to light to help pay off his debts, but he refused it.^[16] Piker was critical of Sliker throughout the stream, telling him people don't think he sounds remorseful for the scam and that he doesn't sound like he's done gambling.

During the stream, a cancer patient that Sliker scammed called in to talk, where she cried about Sliker purportedly not paying her back (shown below).

Twitch Bans Crypto Gambling

On September 20th, 2022, Twitch made a post to Twitter^[18] announcing that they would ban the streaming of gambling websites that aren't licensed in the United States, including gambling on sites like Stake, Roobet, Rollbit and Duelbits, some of the most used gambling sites on Twitch. According to the statement, Twitch will continue to allow the streaming of sports betting, fantasy sports and poker. The post gained over 299,000 likes and 23,000 retweets in a day (shown below).

The ban was celebrated by many streamers who had campaigned for gambling to be banned in the past few days. For example, Asmongold tweeted,^[19] "HOLY SHIT THEY ACTUALLY DID IT," garnering over 43,000 likes in a day. On the same day, Adin Ross, who streams gambling, was critical of the decision, tweeting,^[20] "No more gambling on twitch but atleast we can see a girl getting fucked on stream once a week," garnering over 58,000 likes in a day, likely a reference to a recent story about a streamer being suspended for having sex on stream.

Online Reactions

Twitch Ban Gambling Campaign

The incident inspired increased calls from streamers for Twitch to ban gambling streams from the site. On September 18th, 2022, Pokimane posted to Twitter,^[11] "like if twitch should ban gambling," garnering over 200,000 likes in a day. Mizkif then tweeted^[12] the same thing, garnering over 100,000 likes in a day.

Sliker's Ex Claims He Is Suicidal

On September 18th, 2022, a Redditor shared a clip to /r/livestreamfail^[17] taken from Sliker's ex-girlfriend's stream where she cried and said that Sliker is suicidal over the incident (shown below).

xQc and Ludwig Promise To Pay Back Scam Victims

On September 18th, 2022, streamers Ludwig and xQc posted to Twitter^[13][14] announcing that they'd work to pay back victims of the scam. In Ludwig's tweet, he wrote, "It’s time @Twitch does something about gambling streams."

Trainwreck Continues To Support Gambling On Twitch

On September 18th, 2022, gambling streamer Trainwreck, who had purportedly been scammed by Sliker for around $100,000, tweeted^[15] against the calls for Twitch to ban streaming, writing, "the people scapegoating SLOTS, BJ & ROULETTE and not blaming the individual, are the real problem. on top of that, SLIKER WAS A SPORTS BETTING ADDICT, THE ONE TYPE OF GAMBLING THAT IS NORMALIZED & THAT I DONT HEAR A SINGLE ONE OF YOU CLOUT GOBLIN FUCKS TALKING ABOUT," garnering over 18,000 likes in a day.

Search Interest

External References