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YouTube has announced a crackdown on videos promoting online gambling, effective March 19th. Only sites that are certified as legitimate rs by Google will get a , and even those will be restricted to logged-in s aged 18 plus.
The platform revealed it’s putting age restrictions on videos that promote or depict online betting in any form. Because of worries about underage gambling and predatory behavior in the largely unregulated online gaming industry, these videos are now blocked for anyone under 18.
At the same time, it will remove entirely any video directly or indirectly pushing viewers toward a particular gambling site that doesn’t have authorization to with Google, which owns YouTube.
That means that creators won’t be allowed to share links, texts, logos, images, or other promotions that direct s to these unapproved sites. Google’s standards for approval explicitly include play-money social casinos, but exclude those that offer prizes using a sweepstakes model. That means sweeps casinos are likely to find themselves booted from the platform.
YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle told CNN:
We’ve strengthened our policies that prohibit content directing viewers to unapproved gambling websites or applications. We will also begin age-restricting content that promotes online casinos.
This development is reminiscent of what happened with Twitch a couple of years ago, when the platform became a hub for online casinos. These offshore operators were paying top streamers like xQc, Trainwrecks, and Adin Ross huge sums to gamble live on their channels, creating concerns about the promotion of exploitative gaming habits to young viewers.
The backlash led Twitch to ban unlicensed gambling content in September 2022, prompting a lot of top creators to defect to more permissive platforms like Kick and Rumble.
YouTube guidelines on gambling
In the memo that was sent to creators by YouTube, it hammered on content that promises guaranteed wins or returns. Even if the online casino or app is legit and approved by Google, if the content makes unrealistic promises, it’s getting removed from the platform.
Also, even if your content doesn’t break any rules but it features online casinos or apps, it might get age-restricted. Which means, if you are not logged in or you’re under 18, you won’t be able to watch online gambling content, unless it’s about sports betting or in-person gambling, that is.
If you violate YouTube’s policies, there are consequences to be aware of. For starters, if ads or assets don’t meet the guidelines, they’ll be disapproved and won’t run until the issue is fixed. Repeat offenders or those that commit a serious violation could have their entire could be suspended. And to make matters worse, any related s could be permanently shut down. Even new s that attempted to get created in their place might be automatically suspended.
What it means for slot influencers like Brian Christopher
For Matt Vegas, this change could have far-reaching consequences. These creators have built massive followings by promoting online casinos and gaming sites, often partnering with them to offer exclusive bonuses and promotions. However, if these sites aren’t approved by YouTube, their content may be severely impacted.
Take Christopher, for example, whose channel has over 700,000 subscribers. His videos feature him playing slots and partnering with online casinos like BetMGM. However, if these sites are not approved by YouTube, Christopher’s could face challenges to produce new content. That leaves other popular gaming personalities like Trainwrecks and Vegas in the same fate.
Despite becoming a household name in the online gaming community, with the new policy update, all of these influencers who rely on marketing and sponsorships to monetize their content will have to be careful about how they promote online casinos and gaming sites. The rules are changing, and it’s unknown what the future holds for these personalities and the online gaming community as a whole.
