Casino Streamer Receives Backlash for fake HIV Diagnosis
American casino streamer Wesbtw faces intense backlash after staging a fake HIV diagnosis on-stream. The stunt has ignited debate over responsibility and ethics in the streaming world.
Wesbtw (real name Wes) is a U.S.-based content creator now living in Thailand, boasting roughly 7,500 followers on the Kick platform. His primary stream formats include:
- IRL (In Real Life) Streams: Wes roams around urban areas—especially Bangkok—interacting spontaneously with locals such as passersby, taxi drivers, and bar patrons.
- Slots & Casino Streams: Partnering with betting sites like Stake, he plays high-stakes online slots and live casino games, often running chat-interactive giveaways alongside his bets .
A recurring segment in his IRL content is the “Ladyboy Lovers Stream,” during which he and friends engage with Thailand’s transgender community in bars and on the streets.
He frequently employs a “$3 Text-to-Speech” feature to display viewer comments for an edgier, more provocative experience. Spoiler: It’s not worth it. Don’t pay money for people to get harassed.
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The Streamer’s Fake HIV Diagnosis: What Happened
On May 18, 2025, Wesbtw streamed one of his Slots & Casino streams. Wesbtw briefly displayed a PDF purporting to be lab results for several STDs. It was prominently showing a positive HIV result. He abruptly cut the stream, prompting alarmed viewers and friends to flood his DMs—and even call his mother—to check on him .
Twelve hours later, Wes returned on-air to reveal the “diagnosis” was entirely fabricated. He confessed that a friend had doctored the PDF as part of what he called a “silly bit.” His original plan was to maintain the ruse for a full 24 hours, but the overwhelming audience reaction convinced him to end the prank early.
Community Reaction and Criticism
The stunt drew widespread condemnation:
- Accusations of Poor Taste: Many viewers and fellow streamers argued that HIV/AIDS is no subject for entertainment.
- Risk of Misinformation: Health experts warn that stigma and false information around HIV cause real harm; a live “diagnosis” deception only deepens the problem.
- Platform Standards Concerns: Streaming services like Kick are under pressure to curb harmful content, and this incident has renewed calls for stricter moderation .
Context and What’s Next
Provocative stunts are nothing new in online content creation. However, Wesbtw’s fake HIV diagnosis spotlights how entertainment, ethics, and public health intersect. Wesbtw himself has apologized and pledged to approach sensitive topics more responsibly.
Whether Kick or other platforms will impose sanctions remains unclear. One thing is certain: the community is now more vigilant about drawing the line between edgy content and outright harmful deception.
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