Knossi wants to be a role model, ends gambling streams

The German Twitch streamer and YouTuber Jens “Knossi” Knossalla suddenly discovers his responsibility as a role model for youth. He announces that he will stop his casino streams, which have made him one of the biggest internet stars in Germany. However, fans suspect other reasons for the sudden change of heart.

This is what Knossi says: In a statement on his YouTube channel, the influencer announces that he will no longer show casino streams. He says:

“I have thought a lot about this. I just want to leave this world feeling good someday, and that’s why I’ve decided […]: There will be no more casino streams on this channel from this year onwards. It’s just over. […]
I know that you can’t choose whether you are a role model or not, […] – It just can’t go on forever. There will simply be young people who think they have to do this because you do it too.”

Knossi then elaborates that he no longer sees himself in gambling. He is also tired of having this image and being criticized for it.

He is now more focused on “entertainment” and is doing things that no one has ever done before. Money and viewer numbers have never been important to him anyway.

He simply doesn’t need the casino streams anymore. He will continue to show poker, as it is part of his roots.

Fans doubt motivation

These are the reactions: Under the video, some viewers express doubt that Knossi is stopping streaming because he has discovered his conscience. After all, he has been doing this for 3 years and his conscience has never bothered him: These doubters believe that new regulations on gambling, which came into effect on January 1, 2021, are the reason for the entertainer’s sudden change of heart.

In fact, Knossi had already announced at the end of 2020 that he would no longer broadcast a casino format. At that time it was about the book club, because from January 1, 2021, new rules for gambling in Germany would come into effect that would make “the sites on which Germans play” illegal. In addition, there seems to be a limit on bets to 1€ spins. This drove him to end the format.

In a video from December 30, 2020, Knossi was still gambling in the online casino and wanted to cover a “€40,000” deficit without a betting limit upwards.

If the change of heart came, it came suddenly (via youtube).

“Sold soul to RTL”

Other users believe that Knossi is quitting gambling because he has signed a contract with RTL for a new show and is planning an image change. One user even says that Knossi has “sold his soul to RTL.”

There are some fans who regret that Knossi is quitting gambling – others think it is the right decision.

Gambling streams are notorious but extremely successful

This is what it’s about: The topic “Online Casino” is a tricky one: It’s a legal gray area in Germany.

Even though they are notorious, “casino streams” are incredibly popular in Germany, especially the so-called “high roller” streams. Streamers play for high stakes on online gambling machines and achieve high viewer numbers. They shout at the machines wildly, fuel wins by screaming continuously, and lament their fate in case of a loss.

In 2019, the German streamer Marcel “MontanaBlack” Eris temporarily became the worldwide number 2 on Twitch, especially with slot streams. However, he stopped these broadcasts and turned to games like FIFA. In hindsight, he said he regrets having “infected” German Twitch with slots.

In his footsteps, Knossi followed in 2020. The former amateur actor in reality shows became incredibly popular with these streams: He became one of the 5 biggest German streamers.

However, Knossi also came under fire from critics. Recently, Jan Böhmermann targeted him and showed how difficult it is for influencers like Knossi to promote gambling and make a young audience, which comes from gaming, eager for gambling.

Because the entertainment factor of the show often stands in contrast to tragic fates, when viewers lose a fortune at the machines.