YouTube will enforce stricter policies on online gambling content, effective March 19, as part of its efforts to safeguard viewers, particularly younger audiences, from potentially harmful material, according to an official announcement by the company. 

As per YouTube, the updated rules expand the platform’s existing restrictions on illegal or regulated goods and services, specifically targeting content that promotes or directs users to gambling sites or applications not certified by Google.  

Under the new guidelines, creators are prohibited from including URLs, embedded links, visual displays (such as logos), or verbal references that lead viewers to unapproved gambling platforms. Additionally, content promising guaranteed returns from gambling will be removed, regardless of whether the site or app is Google-certified. 

Videos featuring online casino content—excluding online sports betting and depictions of in-person gambling—may also be age-restricted, making them inaccessible to users under 18 or those not signed into their accounts.  

YouTube acknowledged that these changes could affect creators who produce content centred on online gambling, such as casino games and apps. However, the platform stated that the updates are necessary to protect its community, especially younger viewers, and to maintain a safe and responsible environment.  

According to a recent report by The Verge, this move follows earlier efforts by YouTube and other platforms to curb gambling-related content. In 2021, YouTube banned gambling ads from its masthead ad slot, a prominent advertising space on its homepage. Similarly, in 2022, Twitch restricted streams featuring gambling sites with slots, roulette, or dice games. Last month, Google also revealed plans to test a machine learning model to estimate users’ ages, enabling platforms like YouTube to deliver age-appropriate experiences.