Popular video-sharing platform YouTube recently updated its policies on content related to social casinos. The restrictions cover gambling with digital goods and ads targeting underage audiences. Google had announced the new policies in March 2025, which went live on November 17. This is part of the tech giant’s broader effort to protect viewers and align its policies with those of global gambling regulators.
A Quick Overview of YouTube’s Updated Policies on Gambling-related Content
- Under YouTube’s new policy, gambling-related URLs, links embedded in images of text, visual displays including logos, or verbal references will no longer direct viewers to external sites or applications that are not certified by Google.
- Content promising gambling returns may be removed irrespective of whether the online gambling site or application is Google Ads certified. Videos published before November 17, 2025, will be removed but will not result in a strike.
- Content that does not violate Google’s Community Standards but promotes online casinos will be age-restricted. Ads depicting online sports betting and in-person betting are excluded from this list.
Key Policy Changes and Their Impact on Social Casino Content
YouTube’s new policies on social casino content reflect the global regulatory change in the online gambling industry. Tech giant Meta recently updated its gaming content rules following industry-wide criticism from global gambling regulators, including Romania’s National Office for Gambling (ONJN).
Under YouTube’s new policy, URLs, links embedded in images or text, visual displays including logos, or verbal references will not redirect viewers to gambling sites or applications that are not certified by Google. Creators posting content after November 17, 2025, will have to abide by the updated guidelines.
The new rules extend to social casino-style videos and content promoting online casinos, even where no real money is involved. This covers video game skins, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and cosmetics. YouTube will also restrict videos that promise huge rewards or other financial incentives, including those of licensed operators.
Content that complies with YouTube’s policies but features online casinos will now be available to signed-in users aged 18 and above. Ads featuring Sports betting and in-person betting have been exempted. However, the final call will be based on local ad restrictions.
This means in Romania, where the legal gambling age was recently increased from 18 to 21, only viewers aged 21 years and above can access gambling content on YouTube. Similar rules will be followed in Finland, where the government has banned marketing campaigns targeting minors.
The Impact of YouTube’s New Policies on Creators and Brands
YouTube’s policies do not apply universally but work in tandem with local laws. Creators may be able to work with Google Ads-certified casino brands in some regions. In other countries, including Japan, the Netherlands, and Brazil, there is a blanket ban on all forms of gambling ads.
In June, the Japanese parliament passed a law banning ads promoting online gambling. The Netherlands was quick to follow, as the national gambling regulator, KSA, introduced the Regulatory 2.0 framework. Brazil passed Bill PL 2.985/2023 in the same month, prohibiting sports betting commercials.
Creators must quickly adapt to YouTube’s new guidelines. The company will remove all content posted before November 17 that violates the updated policy. However, creators will not incur a strike. Age-restricted videos will stay behind a sign-in wall for 18+ audiences.
Creators were allowed to edit video descriptions and use built-in video editing tools, such as blur and trim, to update existing content before the November 17 deadline. The platform will notify creators of age-restricted or blocked content via email. Users can appeal the decision by contacting YouTube’s support team.
The updated guidelines aim to foster accountability within creators and brands, aligning with global regulatory standards. Gambling-related content must now be informative and educational rather than promotional and targeted towards adults. The full impact of YouTube’s updated policy will surface in the coming days.