RaKai gets big Twitch ban, shares the reason why
One of the most popular streamer on Twitch, RaKai, has been banned from the platform for a duration of 2 years, leaving fans wondering why and as he sets himself up to potentially lose out on millions of dollars in potential revenue as a result.
RaKai is best known for his over-the-top on-stream behavior and his friendship with streaming star Kai Cenat, who many credit for RaKai having so quickly built up an immense following of over a million fans. The streamer consistently creates new content and engages in online drama, and he has also faced punishments from Twitch because of his past behavior.
RaKai was recently in the news for questionable behavior he was involved in at a local Walmart shopping center. He also allegedly scammed Fortnite streamer Clix after losing a bet. These actions may have come back to bite RaKai after he had previously been banned from Twitch less than two weeks ago, as the platform has now suspended his channel yet again. And this time, he could be gone for quite some time to come.
Why did Twitch ban RaKai?
Streamer RaKai shared a screenshot of a Twitch notification that showed the platform specifying he was banned for “illegal activities.”
RaKai’s ban took many by surprise, but soon after, speculation began that Twitch had banned from for allegedly scamming Fortnite streamer Clix out of $6,500 following a bet between the pair. Clix himself discussed the ban and insinuated that RaKai was suspended from the platform because of the incident. This hasn’t been officially confirmed, and it wasn’t the only controversial RaKai was part of that could fall under the “illegal activities” description.
Image credit: RaKai
Many speculated that RaKai’s latest Twitch ban was more likely because the streamer was apparently shown stealing live on stream. RaKai was recently involved in an incident at a Walmart store in which he gave a woman flowers but then left without paying for them. Many called out the streamer for apparently stealing and then gifting the flowers.
The screenshot RaKai shared lists the cause of his latest Twitch ban as “illegal activities.” The incident involving the flowers is the more likely culprit, given that definition. Twitch has seemingly taken the action with seriousness, delivering a ban with a set duration is two years. The more severe punishment may also have been because RaKai was previously banned roughly two weeks ago.
Streamers stealing on Twitch has become an unfortunate trend of late. Fellow streamer Nina Lin was herself banned earlier in the week following an apparent shoplifting incident.
RaKai Twitch ban could cost the streamer big money
RaKai hasn’t publicly disclosed his Twitch earnings, but Fortnite streamer Clix estimated that RaKai makes approximately $340,000 a month, which if maintained on a consistent basis could make his two-year revenue projection just over $8 million.
Fortnite streamer Clix did a quick breakdown of RaKai’s Twitch earnings when asking to be paid the $6,500 claims that he’s owed. Clix suggested that, according to RaKai’s current channel subscriptions count, he likely makes $80,000 from subs alone. He estimated another $240,000 to come from the ads RaKai runs, and an additional $15,000 from Twitch bits. The total comes down to close to $340,000, and this doesn’t include any of RaKai’s other earnings outside of his Twitch stream.
If RaKai really earns more than $300,000 a month just on Twitch, then he may lose out on millions of dollars in earnings opportunities if he remains banned for two years. Twitch does have the option of reducing the duration of his ban, should it choose to do so.
UPDATE: Twitch has claimed that RaKai’s display of a two-year ban was the result of a “bug,” and that his actual ban length may be shorter.
Feature image credit: RaKai
Khizar Mundia has been playing video games for as long as he can recall. Things have come a long way since the many days he spent playing the original NES, though. He now covers a variety of competitive games and esports, as well as the world of streaming, ranging from Twitch to Kick. If it’s of interest to gamers, it’s of interest to Khizar.
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