YouTube Tightens Restrictions on Gambling Content from 19 March

Currently, YouTube already restricts direct links to unapproved gambling sites. But the new policy goes further. Content will now be flagged not just for links but also for brand logos, visuals, and even verbal mentions that steer viewers toward sites not officially verified by Google.

The crackdown aims to close the loopholes many creators have used to promote betting platforms. Any content that includes promotional links or imagery for sites that haven’t passed YouTube’s checks or don’t comply with gambling laws in specific regions will face removal or restriction.

Alongside these new linking restrictions, YouTube is introducing tighter age filters. Viewers under 18 or those not signed in won’t be able to access content related to online betting promotions. It’s a response to growing concerns over how easily gambling material reaches younger audiences and how these figures have been rising.

This move comes amid a surge in gambling-related content online. With sports betting growing, some of the sports accounts have racked up huge viewership. However, experts have raised red flags and warned that such content might encourage risky habits or give unrealistic expectations of easy winnings.

YouTube is also targeting misleading claims. Videos suggesting guaranteed profits or foolproof ways to recover losses will now fall foul of updated policies, even if they’re linked to legal sites. The platform is trying to discourage deceptive marketing and push for more responsible content.

These new rules echo a wider trend in digital regulation. Some countries have already tightened their grip on gambling ads across platforms like TV but also those more often used by younger age groups such as YouTube and Twitch. In Italy, regulators introduced the Dignity Decree back in 2018, banning all forms of gambling ads on media, including online. Despite this, some creators still attempt to promote offshore gambling sites, prompting further action from authorities.

France has also taken a firm stance. The country’s gambling regulator, ANJ, has warned influencers against promoting unlicensed operators and has kept a close eye on brand partnerships that may cross legal lines. Germany’s approach included the introduction of the State Treaty on Gambling in 2021, strict limits have been placed on advertising placements and schedules. German regulators have also cracked down on streams pushing illegal gambling content, threatening hefty fines for platforms that don’t comply.