YouTube has terminated the Ruddy Esports channel belonging to UK-based League of Legends interviewer DonJake. The removal follows YouTube’s recent crackdown on gambling-related content and comes despite assurances that new policies wouldn’t be enforced retroactively.
The termination happened in two stages. On November 17, YouTube removed multiple videos from DonJake’s channel that featured esports betting sponsors. These included interviews with players like Peanut, Viper, and 369, as well as several episodes from his “First Stand” series. The videos were taken down without issuing any strikes to the channel.
Two days later, YouTube terminated the entire channel. Users who had been watching his interviews mid-viewing found videos suddenly disappearing from their watch history. The channel became completely inaccessible.
DonJake had built his channel around long-form interviews with professional League of Legends players. His conversations with figures like Nemesis, Inspired, Sanchovies, Dhokla, and Mikyx had gained traction for their depth and emotional openness. The interviews focused less on gameplay and more on players’ personal lives, mental health, and backgrounds.
The removal ties directly to YouTube’s updated gambling policies. The platform has been tightening restrictions on content that promotes real-money gambling, including sports betting and casino sites. These rules particularly target content with direct calls to action, promo codes, or affiliate links to betting platforms.
YouTube had indicated the updated gambling rules wouldn’t apply retroactively to older content. However, DonJake’s removed videos were created when esports betting sponsorships were explicitly allowed under YouTube’s previous guidelines. The enforcement appears to be largely automated, with little evidence of human review before the termination.
The timing is particularly harsh for DonJake. He had previously discussed living with his mother in government housing that was slated for renovation, leading to a period of homelessness. He had been staying with a friend while rebuilding through his YouTube work. The channel represented both his primary income source and professional identity.
The enforcement has sparked discussion about inconsistent standards. Major sports leagues continue to feature gambling-related sponsorships in their YouTube content. YouTube itself sells NFL Sunday Ticket and regularly serves sports betting advertisements. Meanwhile, smaller esports creators face channel termination for similar sponsorship arrangements.
Esports betting sponsors have become crucial financial support for the industry. Many teams, tournament organizers, and independent creators rely on these partnerships to fund operations. For mid-sized creators like DonJake, betting sponsorships often represent the only reliable direct sponsorship income available.
DonJake has one opportunity to appeal the termination through YouTube’s standard process. Recovery typically requires public attention or direct contact with YouTube support through social media. Most creators who lose channels this way never get them restored.
But as of finishing this article, YouTube has officially reinstated the channel.
