On November 17, 2025, YouTube rolled out sweeping changes to its global policies on gambling-related content, marking a significant shift in how the platform manages and moderates videos that touch on betting, gaming, and associated advertising. The update, which came into effect on Monday, is designed to shield minors from potentially harmful material and to align the platform’s practices with evolving digital gaming trends and international regulatory expectations.
Under these new guidelines, YouTube has expanded its oversight of gambling content, now restricting any material connected to uncertified platforms. This includes not just conventional gambling videos but also those focused on virtual items—such as skins, cosmetics, and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)—as well as live streams and even casual mentions or demonstrations of betting services that haven’t received company approval. According to reporting from SiGMA, the rules are comprehensive: “The platform now prohibits directing viewers to any gambling website, app, or service that is not certified by Google or approved under local laws, covering spoken promotions, links, logos, screenshots, and casual mentions of unlicensed operators.”
The crackdown doesn’t stop at traditional gambling. Social casino gaming, even when no real money is exchanged, falls under the same strict blocking guidelines. This means that underage users will no longer be able to access or view content that simulates gambling, regardless of whether there’s an actual cash stake involved. The move is an acknowledgment of the growing popularity—and potential risks—of betting modalities linked to digital assets, a trend that’s been accelerating in recent years.
But gambling isn’t the only target of the policy overhaul. YouTube is also tightening restrictions on videos that depict realistic human violence in games, aiming to reduce teenagers’ exposure to disturbing or harmful scenes. Creators have been advised to proactively adjust their channels in anticipation of the changes. While old videos may be removed or marked as unsuitable for minors, the platform has indicated that these actions will not result in direct penalties for creators. Instead, the emphasis is on aligning YouTube’s rules with both the current landscape of electronic games and the broader practices of the digital content industry.
Enforcement of the new rules is nuanced and varies significantly from country to country. For instance, Italy bans gambling advertising outright, while Germany and France maintain close regulatory scrutiny. Brazil only permits content linked to approved .bet.br domains, and Colombia and India block links to unlicensed sites entirely. In contrast, the UK, Sweden, and parts of the United States allow certified operators under Google’s approval, and many Middle Eastern and Asian markets enforce full bans. YouTube has committed to vetting services on a country-by-country basis, ensuring that local laws and standards are upheld.
For creators, the stakes are high. Non-compliance can lead to video removals, demonetisation, and even channel strikes, with older content also subject to review. Age restrictions, now mandatory for most gambling content, are expected to reduce viewership and, by extension, revenue. Affiliate deals with offshore or unlicensed operators—a lucrative source of income for some channels—are likely to dwindle as a result of the new policy. As SiGMA notes, “Channels that previously relied on casual mentions of gambling or affiliate links may see significant reductions in revenue and engagement.”
The impact on illegal betting operations is particularly acute. Previously, some channels broadcasted 24-hour live streams demonstrating games on unlicensed platforms, effectively promoting services that operate outside of regulatory frameworks. Daniel Fortune, a content creator focused on raising awareness among bettors, put it plainly: “The Bureau of Prizes and Betting (SPA/MF) does not allow minors under 18 to gamble, so advertising should not be directed at this age group either.” He further referenced local regulations, explaining, “Annex X of CONAR (National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation) stipulates that advertising for betting should not be directed at minors.”
The new YouTube policies reinforce the importance of responsible marketing within the betting sector, echoing existing legal and ethical standards. João Fraga, CEO of Paag, emphasized, “Care for minors and maintaining regulatory compliance are fundamental to ensuring the safety of everyone involved.” He also highlighted the need for robust internal controls on betting sites, such as self-exclusion tools and deposit limits, to prevent compulsive behaviors and protect vulnerable users. “Improving responsible gaming tools, such as self-exclusion and deposit limits, is very important, but beyond that, generating intelligence through information and interpreting player actions from different perspectives is crucial to understanding patterns that precede risky behaviors,” Fraga said.
Advertisers, too, face heightened scrutiny. Campaigns must now be informational and transparent, with clear age-gating and regional tailoring. According to YouTube’s guidance, advertisers must comply with both Google’s rules and local legislation, steering clear of unlicensed operators, cross-border offers, or misleading claims. They’re also expected to include responsible gambling messages and to monitor evolving regulations closely. The platform advises creators to “remove all references to unapproved sites, apply age restrictions, work only with certified operators, avoid financial promises, include responsible gambling messages, monitor regulations, and seek legal guidance when targeting multiple countries.”
Experts in mental health and addiction have welcomed the changes. Cristiano Costa, a clinical and organizational psychologist and Chief Knowledge Officer at the Brazilian Company for Support of Compulsive Disorders (EBAC), outlined the precautions that any betting advertisement should take: “Responsible campaigns should focus on the fun aspect alongside the risks involved. They should also adopt transparency rules and provide visible warnings about the risk of addiction, similar to what already happens in other sectors, such as alcohol and tobacco, for example.” Costa added, “Omitting this information from advertisements, in any economic sector, should be subject to sanctions by the bodies responsible for regulation and oversight in the advertising industry.”
While the new rules may present short-term challenges for creators and brands that relied on more relaxed standards, they also create opportunities for certified operators and educational content that can guide viewers toward regulated and legally approved services. Creative content remains possible, but it must now comply with a more rigorous framework that prioritizes viewer protection and regulatory alignment.
As the digital content landscape continues to evolve, YouTube’s updated policies signal a clear commitment to safeguarding young audiences and fostering a culture of responsible gaming and advertising. The coming months will reveal how creators, brands, and viewers adapt to these new realities—and whether the industry at large can strike the right balance between engagement and ethical responsibility.