Starting March 19, 2025, YouTube will tighten its regulations surrounding gambling-related content. The changes aim to reduce exposure to unregulated gambling services, with new rules prohibiting creators from verbally endorsing unauthorized gambling platforms, displaying logos of unapproved gambling sites, or linking to such platforms. Additionally, all gambling content will now be subject to age restrictions to ensure that minors are not exposed to it.
Overview of the New Policy
Under the updated policy, YouTube creators will be prohibited from:
- Verbally promoting gambling services that have not been approved by YouTube or Google.
- Displaying logos of unapproved gambling platforms in video content or thumbnails.
- Linking to gambling sites that have not been vetted by YouTube or Google.
These measures aim to curb the visibility of potentially harmful gambling promotions. Any content that violates these guidelines may be removed, with penalties applied to the channels responsible.
Gambling Content Prohibitions
YouTube’s new policy also specifies that any promotion of gambling services not in compliance with local regulations will be banned. Even when dealing with approved gambling services, content that promotes false claims of “guaranteed wins” or “recovery of losses” will be subject to removal.
Stronger Age Restrictions for Gambling Content
To further protect vulnerable audiences, all gambling-related videos will be age-restricted. Only viewers over the age of 18, logged into their YouTube accounts, will be able to access this content. Notably, content related to live gambling events and online sports betting will still be permitted, provided it aligns with the new regulations.
YouTube’s Commitment to User Safety
Boot Bullwinkle, a spokesperson for YouTube, explained that the company is committed to enhancing its policies to prevent users from being directed to unapproved gambling platforms. YouTube is also focusing on improving age verification through advanced AI technology to ensure that gambling content is appropriately restricted.
A Shift in YouTube’s Approach to Gambling Content
This is not YouTube’s first attempt to regulate gambling content. In 2021, the platform banned gambling-related advertisements from appearing on its homepage. The following year, Twitch imposed restrictions on live streams from certain gambling sites. Furthermore, Google is investing in AI technologies to bolster its content moderation efforts, specifically focusing on better age verification.
Industry Backlash and Concerns
The new policy has raised concerns within the Real Money Gaming (RMG) industry. A source close to the industry revealed that the increase in illegal gambling content, especially in markets like India, will be significantly affected by these policy changes. The source argued that YouTube should go even further by removing all existing gambling content and issuing warnings to influencers who promote gambling. This could prevent further disruptions to the platform’s content ecosystem.
Experts suggest that YouTube not only needs to enforce these restrictions but also take proactive steps to raise awareness among users and influencers about the risks of promoting illegal gambling. Many unregulated gambling operators have been known to pay influencers between $4,000 to $10,000 for promoting their platforms, which has contributed to the spread of illegal content.
Law Enforcement Crackdown on Gambling Content
In India, law enforcement agencies are already taking action against illegal gambling promotions. For example, the Visakhapatnam police arrested YouTuber Vasupalli Nani for promoting gambling apps in his live streams. Additionally, the Kerala police have launched an investigation into similar activities. These actions highlight the growing focus on controlling the spread of illegal gambling promotions and the increasing need for regulatory oversight.
