PokerStars Bidding to Unlock New Stream of Talent with Twitch Add-On

November 29th, 2019 | by Kaycee James

The links between PokerStars and Twitch have been strengthened following a recent software update that integrates the two platforms.

PokerStars integrates a new Twitch add-on as it bids to become the dominant force in poker streaming. (Image: PokerStars)

Talks of a proverbial merger first surfaced in October. With media leaks suggesting that PokerStars wanted to up its streaming game, the developers have finally shown their hand.

PokerStars Builds Bridge Over Streams

Going live this week, the new add-on allows players to connect their account Twitch. After opening up the PokerStars desktop client, users can go to their account page and unlock the “connected accounts” tab.

Those with a Twitch account can log-in to the streaming site via a pop-up. Alternatively, newbies can join Twitch before linking it to their PokerStars account.

With linked accounts, players can instantly broadcast their sessions without having to set up things manually. The aim is to create more online poker streams and, in turn, give Twitchers more in the way of added value.

Commenting on the innovation, Head of Poker Communities & Engagement, Scott Goodall, said it will increase engagement.

“Connecting PokerStars accounts with Twitch accounts means our players can identify themselves as Twitch users, and we can in turn offer them special promotions, items and rewards,” Goodall said in a media statement.

In the greater scheme of things, strengthening the ties between Twitch and poker players could help the industry as a whole.

Twitch Could Push Poker to New Heights

The update itself will clearly add to PokerStars’ ever-increasing list of unique selling points. However, for online poker, making Twitch easily accessible will normalize its use.

As more players stream their sessions, it should up poker’s presence on the world’s largest streaming platform. Increased visibility could then improve the likelihood of non-poker fans taking notice.

According to the statistics, Twitch has 15 million active daily users. Online poker operators have been trying to tap into this market for the last five years.

Although inroads have been made, there is still plenty of untapped potential. Integrating a Twitch add-on is PokerStars’ attempt to drill down into the platform’s rich reserves but also make itself the home of streaming.

Indeed, with Partypoker pushing out its own Twitch innovations, an interesting race for streaming supremacy is starting to take shape.