Szymon "Szymool" Besser
Szymek Besser (born 1994), better known as Szymool, is a Polish live streamer who gained prominence for his "in real life" (IRL) streams and controversial content. He is a key figure in the Polish IRL streaming scene, leveraging international travel, social interactions, and high-stakes gambling to attract an audience. After beginning his career on Twitch, he was permanently banned and transitioned to the rival platform Kick, where his viewership and public profile grew substantially.
Streaming Career
Twitch (2014–2022)
Besser launched his Twitch channel, szymoool, on April 11, 2014. He rose to prominence within the Polish streaming community through his IRL content, often collaborating with other streamers like Franciszek "Franio" Rusiecki. His tenure on Twitch was marked by several controversies and multiple suspensions, which culminated in a permanent ban from the platform in 2022. Following the ban, Besser expressed disappointment with former colleagues who he felt had distanced themselves from him.
Kick (2023–Present)
Szymool's move to Kick was part of a larger migration of streamers who found Twitch's content policies to be overly restrictive. The transition proved to be a major success for Besser. His viewership metrics on Kick far surpassed his previous records, with a peak of over 61,000 concurrent viewers recorded in May 2024. On Kick, he has continued his focus on IRL and gambling content, traveling to various countries and broadcasting his experiences.
Controversies
Promotion of Unlicensed Gambling
Besser has faced significant legal scrutiny in Poland for promoting unlicensed online gambling services. He is one of several Polish influencers who have been investigated and fined by the National Revenue Administration for advertising illegal gambling operations to a Polish audience.
Arrest in Kenya
In October 2024, Besser was arrested while conducting an IRL stream in Kenya. The incident, which was broadcast live to his viewers, led to his temporary detainment. According to reports, the arrest stemmed from a local dispute that escalated, requiring police intervention. He was later released and allowed to continue his travels.
Other ventures
FAME MMA
Besser has participated in FAME MMA, a popular Polish celebrity mixed martial arts promotion that features internet personalities. He made his fighting debut at the FAME MMA 16 event, facing fellow streamer Dawid "MrDzinold" Rzeźnik.