- New YouTube policies target online gambling content
- All online gambling content is now age-restricted
- In-person gambling vloggers are unaffected
YouTube has enacted stricter rules for its online gambling creators. As of March 19, vloggers who play online slots or virtual casino games, or who analyze or explain how they’re played, are prohibited from promoting gambling sites or apps that aren’t approved by YouTube or its parent company, Google.
This restriction applies to verbal mentions, links, and any type of visual representation, including logos embedded in images or text.
Online gambling content also can no longer be viewed by users under age 18 or who are signed out (since signing in requires age verification).
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 said in an announcement.
YouTube also said it may take down any gambling videos that “promise guaranteed returns.”
In-Person Casino Vloggers OK
YouTube’s new age restriction doesn’t apply to in-person content, such as vloggers who play slots or table games in casinos. Presumably, this is because there is no known increase in minors gambling in casinos, which have built-in barriers against that.
The age restriction also doesn’t apply to videos about online sports betting, which has enjoyed increasing mainstream acceptance and is most likely a low-priority target for YouTube.
This isn’t the first time YouTube has pushed back against gambling streamers. In 2021, it banned gaming ads from its masthead ad slot, a premium space located atop its homepage and home feed.
However, that policy change didn’t stem the rising tide of online gambling vloggers cashing in on sponsorships and affiliate programs.
The rapid growth of online gambling has raised concerns about its accessibility to minors. A recent study by the National Institute of Health found that 60%-80% of children aged 13 to 17 admitted to gambling at least once in the past year.
Last month, Google announced that it was testing a new AI model that estimates viewer ages more accurately.
The post YouTube Cracks Down on Gambling Content to Protect Kids appeared first on Casino.org.
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