Twitch Clarifies the Rollbit x StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Co-Streaming Situation

19 Nov

Ganesh Jadhav

The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is less than a week away. The second Valve-sponsored event of the year, which should call for festivities, had instead become a sour subject among the Counter-Strike community because of StarLadder’s choice of main sponsor — Rollbit.

Twitch, however, has responded (via Dexerto) to the growing concerns regarding the banned sponsor, clarifying that streamers will be allowed to stream the Budapest Major 2025 without breaking the Twitch Terms of Service (TOS).

Twitch Responds to Budapest Major Streamer Problem

For starters, Rollbit is an online crypto-based gambling and sports betting hub. While that in itself isn’t an issue within the Counter-Strike community, the problem arises because Twitch and YouTube have listed Rollbit as a banned site. This means that if Rollbit is mentioned or displayed on stream at any point, it would’ve broken the TOS, resulting in a ban.

As a response, Twitch has now clarified that co-streaming the Budapest Major 2025 will not break the TOS, allowing streamers to watch the event as long as they do not verbally promote Rollbit.

Streamers Call Out StarLadder

For many, Majors are a celebration of Counter-Strike as a whole. And StarLadder’s actions impose restrictions on that celebration, which has been seen as a problem by many community members.

Initially, StarLadder planned to limit the exclusive rights to Kick, but Valve did not allow for an exclusive streaming platform. If Twitch hadn’t clarified their position, many community members would’ve had to either switch to Kick, watch on CSTV (180 second delayed stream) or watch the official broadcast, limiting the co-streams.

While it makes sense for StarLadder to seek maximum profit (since organizing an event is an expensive affair), their attempt at soft exclusivity comes off as disingenuous, leading to many criticizing them.

This whole situation only adds fuel to the previous fire of StarLadder: not inviting any content creator to co-stream the Major from the venue; not even the biggest names like Ohnepixel.

While Twitch has clarified their position, StarLadder still has to approve the co-streamers, and that hopefully doesn’t go out of hand.

The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 kicks off November 24 with Stage 1. Catch the tournament live on Twitch, YouTube, and Kick. You can also follow the tournament on Strafe.

Don't forget to check out Strafe Esports for all the latest Counter Strike 2 news and our X account for the latest content and coverage of your favorite eSports.

Also, don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Credit: StarLadder

How to get StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Souvenir Packages

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Pick’Em Challenge Guide: How to Play

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025: All You Need to Know

Valve Announces Bo5 Grand Finals for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025