Streamer Trainwreck turned down $96m to stay authentic
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18 Aug 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes In the world of streaming, where sponsorship deals reach dizzying heights, few people turn down such opportunities. Tyler Niknam, better known by his pseudonym Trainwreck, nevertheless turned down a colossal $96 million offer from an online casino. Why? To remain authentic in the eyes of his viewers. For him, accepting such an offer would mean that his gaming sessions would no longer be real, overly influenced by easy money.
Winning big… without losing credibility
Trainwreck explained that the prospect of winning millions through a structured deal would take the risk out of gambling. He points out that losing big and then almost immediately getting the money back through a sponsor is no longer real gambling. Refusing the offer, therefore, was a matter of principle, rather than a financial decision.
This refusal did not prevent dramatic upheavals from occurring. In July, Trainwreck lost $19.5 million in a matter of days while live streaming, triggering a well-deserved break. This intense period showed him in a vulnerable, human light, far from the image of the invincible player.
A stellar income… despite everything
Despite these losses, Trainwreck also revealed that he earns $10,000 per minute of streaming, making him probably one of the highest-paid streamers in the world.
Trainwreck explains that the essence of his content is based on unpredictability and real risk. Accepting a large sum from a sponsor would change the nature of his game, transforming a platform for entertainment into a platform for advertising.
Trainwreck explains that the essence of his content is based on unpredictability and real risk. Accepting a large sum from a sponsor would change the nature of his game, transforming an honest entertainment platform into a promotional tool. He therefore made the bold choice to preserve his integrity and remain faithful to his initial concept: streaming without a safety net.
In an era of huge partnerships between streamers and casinos (some worth several million pounds a month), turning down such a large offer may seem irrational. And yet, it is precisely this financial risk that sets Trainwreck apart. He chooses a relationship of trust with his viewers over guaranteed profitability.