Streamer Necko on Why People Watch Casino Streams

CasinoWow talks with streamer Necko about why people watch casino streams, how his chat shapes what he plays, and gambling as entertainment.

Watching someone else spin the reels has become hugely popular. It’s one of the ways people discover new online slots, see how they work and enjoy them without playing themselves.

Necko, known as NeckoLol on Twitch, knows this world well. He started with League of Legends, and today he streams a mix of video games, IRL and online casino content to more than 300,000 followers.

We at CasinoWow spoke with Necko about why people watch casino streams. We also talked about how much his chat decides what he plays, why he treats gambling as entertainment, and more. Read on to see casino streaming from the streamer’s side.

CasinoWow’s interview with streamer Necko

Necko has been creating content since 2012 and has worked with Riot Games for over a decade. His streams are built around audience participation and humour.

Who is Necko and how did it all begin?

Every streamer starts somewhere, and for Necko, it was far from the camera. We asked him what came before streaming and how he made it his job.

CW: What did you study or do before streaming became your day-to-day thing?

After finishing school, I started working with my father at his business, Encendido 74, in my hometown of La Plata, Argentina. The business specializes in vehicle spare parts and accessories, so I spent a lot of time dealing with customers, learning about sales and understanding the importance of being organized and responsible.

More than anything, though, it was a very important experience for me because it allowed me to work closely with my father and learn from him. Looking back, I think many of the things I learned there, especially how to deal with people and communicate with them, have been really useful in my career as a content creator.

CW: How did you end up getting into streaming? Was it always the goal, or did you have other plans at first?

I’ve always dreamed of working in something related to video games. Even when I was still at school, I knew that was what I wanted to do. At the time, streaming wasn’t really a thing yet, so the closest thing I could imagine was becoming a YouTuber.

I also had a more personal reason for wanting to create content. I always liked the idea of being company for people who might be going through a difficult time or feeling lonely, and making them feel a little less alone through something as simple as a video or a stream.

At first, I was working with my father and slowly saving money to buy my own PC. Once I had it, I started creating content and, little by little, I began making some money from it. Eventually, I reached a point where I could tell my father that I was earning enough to live from creating content. I asked him to trust me and give me the opportunity to dedicate more time to it and really try to make it work.

Thankfully, he trusted me, and that decision completely changed my life. What started as a dream while I was at school eventually became my full-time career.

His father’s trust changed everything. Today, Necko is a successful streamer who knows his community well.

Inside Necko's casino streams

We then turned our questions to what casino streaming is really about, and how it works for him. Here’s how he sees it.

CW: Why do you think people watch someone else play instead of playing themselves?

I think a big part of it is the excitement of seeing big wins without having to risk their own money. It’s also entertainment. People like watching different slots, seeing which games are fun to play, and sometimes discovering games they might not have seen before.

CW: How much do chat and viewers influence how you play slots? For example, do you follow their advice on bets or bonus buys, or play the games they ask for?

Quite a lot, actually. I listen to my chat pretty often. If they really want to see a specific game, I’ll usually give it a chance. And if we’ve been waiting a long time for a bonus and the machine just isn’t giving it, sometimes I’ll buy the bonus because it’s simply more entertaining to watch. It also makes the viewers feel like they’re part of the stream and that their opinion matters.

CW: Do people actually learn tips or strategies from watching you play, or is it mostly risk-free entertainment?

I’d say my content is mainly entertainment. I’m not trying to teach people how to gamble. I do always remind them to be careful and not risk more than they can afford to lose, but at the end of the day, I want people to watch because they’re having fun.

CW: Which slot features get the biggest reaction from chat, like bonus buys, multipliers or big-win animations?

Definitely bonuses and big wins. But honestly, one of the funniest reactions is when you’ve been waiting forever for a bonus, it finally comes in, and then it pays basically nothing. Those “false hope” bonuses can get the chat going just as much as a big win.

CW: How do you pick which game or type of game to play next? Is it planned, a feeling in the moment, or something else?

It’s a mix of things. I look at what’s trending, I play some of my personal favorites, and I ask the chat what they want to see. Sometimes I’ll also just pick something completely random, like using random words or choosing a game because the cover caught my attention.

CW: What makes you stop playing a slot on stream, and what keeps you on it?

If I’ve been waiting for a bonus for 200 or 300 spins and it finally comes in but pays almost nothing, I’ll usually close the game immediately. There’s not much reason to keep forcing it. If the game is entertaining, the features are hitting and the chat is enjoying it, then I’ll stay on it.

CW: Do you look at RTP and volatility when playing slots on stream?

I’d say 50/50. I do look at them, but they’re not the main thing I use to choose a game. I actually tend to enjoy more volatile games because they’re more exciting to watch. You can have a really big win or a really bad run, so the risk-reward aspect creates more action on stream.

CW: What makes a casino a good choice to play at on stream? For example, the game selection, fast withdrawals, support, or something else?

For me, it’s mainly the game selection and whether they have games my audience actually wants to watch. It also needs to load quickly and, probably most importantly, have good technical support. A lot of casinos can have a good selection of games, but if something goes wrong and there’s no proper support, it becomes a nightmare for both the streamer and the viewers.

CW: Some studios now make new versions of their games in collaboration with streamers. Do you think that's a good thing for viewers and players? Has a studio ever asked you for input or a collab?

I haven’t had the opportunity yet, but I’d definitely love to do it. I think having a streamer involved gives the game a more personal connection with the audience. If it’s someone they already watch and enjoy, I’m sure they’d be much more interested in trying that game as well.

CW: People are watching you gamble. How do you think about that responsibility, and what do you do on stream to encourage safer play, like setting limits or taking breaks?

I try to make it clear that gambling is entertainment and that you can lose money. I talk about setting limits and not going overboard, and I show the losses as well as the wins. I don’t want to present gambling as a way to make money. For me, it should be treated as entertainment and people should only play with money they can afford to lose.

Entertainment comes first for both Necko and his viewers

Necko lets his chat shape a big part of his streams, from the games he plays to the bonuses he buys when a slot goes quiet. He also prefers more volatile slots, because they’re more exciting to watch.

If you’ve seen a slot on stream you’d like to try, play the demo first in our free slots section. Once you’re sure you like it, you can look for it at many of the top online casinos we’ve reviewed.

But keep in mind that a stream only shows one session, and slots, especially the volatile ones, can use up your balance fast. So follow responsible gambling practices and Necko’s own advice: set limits and only play with money you can afford to lose.

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By Pete

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Hi there, I'm Pete! The one who thinks a page isn't finished until you can read it once and get it. Years of casino copywriting taught me all the tricks for dressing a page up. Now I mostly use them to strip it back.

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