YouTube announced on Tuesday that it will no longer permit content that directs users to “unapproved” gambling websites.
In an update posted on March 4, the platform’s team said that as part of an ongoing effort to protect viewers from potentially harmful content, it is strengthening its existing policies related to online gambling content.
YouTube defines unapproved gambling sites as platforms that don’t meet local legal requirements and haven’t been reviewed by YouTube or its parent company Google.
Effective March 19, YouTube will no longer allow non-Google-certified URLs, embedded links, visual displays including logos or verbal references.
“We know this update may impact creators who focus on online gambling content like casino games and applications, but we believe these changes are a necessary step in protecting our community, especially younger viewers,” read the statement.
YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle added to CNN that it will also begin age-restricting content that promotes online casinos, regardless of whether or not those sites and that messaging has been approved. Users under the age of 18, as well as those who are not logged into an account while viewing YouTube content, will not be exposed to content that depicts or promotes online betting sites.
YouTube added in its statement that content that promised “guaranteed returns” may be removed regardless of whether the online gambling site or application has been approved by Google.
Wider Google gambling-related changes coming in April
The change in YouTube policy will take effect shortly before Google alters its own gambling advertising policy in mid-April.
Google’s new approach will specifically designate which countries are approved for gambling-related advertising and will require advertisers to offer a landing page with responsible gambling information.
Aggregators and affiliates will still be able to promote legal online gambling sites so long as they are registered with Google as gambling advertisers and “provide information about, or a comparison of, gambling services.” Affiliates also must ensure any operators they promote have active licenses and registrations for the markets they are advertising in.
However, affiliates and aggregators will not be allowed to promote social casino games, defined by Google as “online simulated gambling-style games where there is no opportunity to win something of value.” Games that use virtual currency with real-world value are still allowed to be advertised by affiliates.
