> How sure are we that these fans are not getting more benefit than we think?

Good question. Similar question: how sure are we that the whales in mobiles games or Casinos are not getting more benefit than we think?

The amounts spent are often quite substantial on the fan's side, while they are one among many viewed from the streamer's side. I don't think there's reciprocity.

I would like to see pharmaceuticals coming up with drugs that specifically target addictive reward circuits. then we can get rid of judgmental laws against addictions that some ppl consider "harmful" and instead prescribe antiaddiction medication. If people still like to gamble, then we must accept it s their choice and they need no "help" from us

Once we have those kinds of meds, I'm fairly sure that you see the gambling industry implode. They are hyper-optimizing targeting exactly those reward circuits for a reason.

There's not just the question whether the individual needs to be saved from themselves, there's also the question whether we let the predators roam free.

If someone believed they could cross the Atlantic ocean wearing nothing but shorts and flippers, you get to a difficult decision rather quickly. But if they're drunk and somebody is trying to guide them into a dark alley where you know three of their friends are waiting to rob the person, there's a good moral argument for a) saving that person from their fate and b) disposing of those four who are a net negative contribution to humanity.