YouTube to Ban Ads for Online Gambling with Digital Items
From November 17, 2025, YouTube will expand its community guidelines to prohibit ads for online gambling.
New Restrictions on Gambling Content
The new rules now apply to content that:
- includes links to online gambling sites for digital items such as in-game skins, cosmetic items, and NFTs
- promotes social casinos — these videos will now carry an 18+ age restriction
Currently, the policy only bans links to operators without Google’s special certification.
What Happens to Existing Content
Videos uploaded before November 17 that violate the new rules will either be removed or age-restricted without issuing a strike. Creators can proactively:
- edit their video descriptions
- trim scenes to comply with the guidelines before they take effect
Policy on Social Casinos
Content featuring or promoting social casinos will now be:
- age-restricted to viewers 18+
- reviewed for compliance with YouTube’s new requirements
These measures will help creators prepare their videos in advance and expand safe content publishing options.
Restrictions on Graphic Gaming Content
In addition to gambling rules, YouTube is updating its approach to videos depicting graphic violence in games. Key factors include:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Duration | Long violent scenes are assessed based on the total duration of all such scenes in the video. |
| Prominence | If the violence is the main focus of a scene or emphasized on screen. |
| Realistic Characters | If the violence is directed at characters resembling real people. |
Impact on Creators
Most channels will not see major changes, but creators should be aware of the new rules:
- Older videos may be removed or age-restricted without issuing a strike
- Creators can edit descriptions, trim, or blur scenes
- If content is restricted or removed, a notification will be sent by email, and creators can appeal
Key Dates and Recommendations
The new rules take effect on November 17, 2025. To comply, it is recommended to:
- review all uploaded videos for compliance
- update descriptions and content ahead of time
- use YouTube tools to edit videos as needed
These steps will help ensure compliance and safe publishing for an 18+ audience.