Crypto casino influencers spark outrage after disrupting LA meal drive for unhoused
Two crypto casino influencers disrupted a meal drive for unhoused people in Los Angeles' Skid Row last weekend. The pair attempted to hand out bottles of liquor to those waiting in line for prepared meals. Their actions were swiftly condemned as harmful rather than charitable.
Organisers from the Steven Williams Foundation, which serves over 1,200 meals a month, confronted the influencers and ordered them to leave. The incident follows a pattern of controversial stunts by crypto casino promoters seeking social media attention. One of the influencers, recording with Meta glasses, was actively promoting Rainbet during the disruption.
This isn't the first time such tactics have been used. Last autumn, influencer Keith Castillo—known online as 'povwolfy'—visited multiple cities, offering unhoused individuals bottles of alcohol and machetes. His campaign faced heavy criticism before he could expand it to five additional locations.
Critics argue these actions exploit vulnerable people for online engagement. The Steven Williams Foundation, which aims to provide hope through regular meals, called the behaviour exploitative and damaging to the community it supports.
Skid Row, a neighbourhood with one of the largest unhoused populations in the US, has long been a target for viral stunts. However, local organisations continue to stress the need for genuine support over performative acts. The influencers were removed from the event after their actions were publicly condemned. The Steven Williams Foundation has reiterated its focus on providing consistent, respectful aid to unhoused residents. Authorities and advocates are now calling for stricter measures against exploitative content creation targeting vulnerable groups.
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