we are building a web platform for money matches using Twitch api and want to use extensions as well.
what is a money match?
it basically is a binding contract with two or more player to fulfil a goal in a game. if a player does not fulfill it, he loses money to the other player(s).
the goal can be to do “something” in a game (killstreak, achievements etc) or to simply beat the other player(s).
it’s basically a real money tournament with funding by the participants.
money matches are popular among fighting games etc, anything with a heavy competional aspect:
https://www.ssbwiki.com/money_match
we also have been talking to a lot of streamers during twitch con and there clearly seems to be interest in this, many people do these games already anyway using PayPal.
yet I could not get a real answer on how twitch thinks about this, because it feels like money matches belong somewhere in the Grey area between gambling (not encouraged by twitch) and tournaments (involved real money from the very beginning of esports on and are a fundamental and accepted part of esports).
thankfully from a legal/regulatory perspective the matter is a little more clear :
if money matches involve skill as the dominant factor( true for most games played and streamed on twitch) , they are not considered and regulated as betting/gambling by the majority of the US states (allthough some states forbid any cash games at all) and most European countries.
furthermore they could be a fun way for the average player to enjoy some of the “esports kool-aid” as well as streamers to engage with their viewers.
on the other hand it is understandable for twitch to be sensitive about anything real money related with gaming because of the whole counterstrike go skin Desaster.
tl;dr:
money matches are not to be confused with betting, but are rather small tournaments with real money funded by the players.
we feel there should be an open discussion about this matter, as we devs don’t want to develop a product twitch does not want around!
