Gambling content is seemingly everywhere on the internet today. Even viral videos completely unrelated to betting or casinos now sport advertisements for gambling websites. YouTube is now cracking down on some of that gambling content.
In an update to YouTube policies this week, the video giant announced that it is "strengthening our existing policies related to online gambling content" in order to "protect viewers from potentially harmful content."
The biggest change to YouTube's policies regarding gambling includes a new age restriction. YouTube's new policy states that online gambling content will not be viewable by signed-out viewers or signed-in users under the age of 18. YouTube has carved out two exceptions to this rule, stating that online sports betting content and content depicting in-person gambling will not be subject to the policy.
Gambling videos on the platform were already unable to promote gambling websites or apps unless those third-party gambling sites had been certified by Google. Online gambling platforms that are certified by Google have been required to meet local legal requirements to ensure that they comply with the law.
According to YouTube, that rule is now being expanded to ban creators from sending viewers to gambling-related "URLs, links embedded in images or text, visual displays (incl. logos) or verbal references" unless they have been certified by Google.
Additionally, any gambling content that promises viewers "guaranteed returns" may be removed by the company, even if the gambling platform being promoted has been certified by Google.
As online gambling continues to grow, so does online gambling content from creators looking to cash in on sponsorships and affiliate programs. With these new updated rules, YouTube appears to be trying to force creators and itself to be at least a little bit more responsible with what they promote to their viewers.
These new gambling content rules go into effect on YouTube as of March 19.
