SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
YouTube is tightening restrictions on betting-related content in an effort to protect viewers from potential harm on its platform.
Updating policies to regulate betting’s presence, YouTube will prevent content creators from including URLs, embedded links, visual logos or even verbally referencing gambling sites that have not been certified by Google Ads or reviewed by YouTube.
Furthermore, any content that promises guaranteed returns from gambling activities will be removed.
YouTube stated: “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.
“YouTube is committed to supporting creators while ensuring a safe and responsible platform for everyone.”
At this moment in time, the Google-owned video-sharing platform only allows links to gambling platforms that comply with local legal requirements. However, this will change from 19 March 2025.
From then on, content that does not violate the site’s community guidelines, but still features depictions or promotions of online casino sites or apps, may become age-restricted.
This means that online gambling content (excluding online sports betting and depictions of in-person gambling) won’t be viewable to users that are not logged in or any users who are under 18.
Looking elsewhere, India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued several advisories warning social media platforms, advertising intermediaries, and influencers against promoting gambling and betting services.
Moreover, in Italy, YouTube has paid large fines for not controlling gambling content and regulators have since taken an aggressive stance against gambling advertisements.
In France, the ANJ has also warned influencers and content creators about promoting illegal gambling sites. Finally, the German regulatory body, GGL, has also cracked down on the topic, specifically targeting Twitch and YouTube content.
