Drake's profile suddenly disappeared from the streaming platform Kick; the channel now returns a 404 error. This became a continuation of the musician's public conflict with the co-founders of the crypto bookmaker Stake, a brand he has partnered with since 2022. The artist accused management of "cutting off the oxygen" for streamers by banning affiliate (referral) links, even though content creators helped drive the service's growth.
What Happened on the Platform
After a series of sharp comments aimed at Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, Drake's Kick channel became unavailable. For viewers, this looks like a de facto exit from the ecosystem, and for the market it signals that monetization rules on bookmaker-linked platforms can change without long transition periods.
The Core Grievance: Affiliate Monetization Banned
The key pain point is the restrictions on using affiliate links. For streamers, betting affiliate programs (CPA/RevShare) are among the primary revenue streams alongside direct integrations. Banning this tool lowers channels' ARPU and complicates content risk management: the payback of streams, traffic, and promotion declines, while reliance on fixed advertising deals grows.
Long-Running Tie-Up With Stake
Since 2022, Drake has served as a Stake ambassador and regularly showcased wagers on major sporting events — from top leagues to hyped events. For the brand, this delivered a media boost to awareness and trust in its odds and betting lines; for the artist, it provided strong positioning in the betting-streaming niche.
What It Means for the Betting-Streaming Market
The story revives an old dilemma: platform versus creator. When a platform linked to a bookmaker restricts affiliates, the incentive to drive traffic to the line and live markets fades. Content shifts toward "link-less shows," conversion to registration and deposit falls, and with it the audience's LTV.
What's Next
The departure of a high-profile figure is a cue to revisit the rules. If Stake and Kick do not offer transparent terms for affiliates, some influencers may move their streams to independent channels and social networks, keeping direct betting and odds discussions outside the integrated ecosystem. Otherwise, the market is likely to see a new round of agreements — with clear guardrails for affiliates and a more predictable economics for streamers.
