Gambling and casinos: YouTube says stop
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31 Oct 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes From 17 November, YouTube will tighten its controls on videos related to gambling and social casinos.
YouTube has just announced regulatory changes for gambling-related content. After several policy revisions in 2025, the platform has announced an extension of its ban on ‘gambling’ videos, i.e. any content promoting or linking to betting activities, whether real or virtual.
Until now, the ban has mainly targeted videos that redirect to illegal casinos or unauthorised gambling applications. From 17 November 2025, this restriction will also include games based on digital assets with monetary value, such as skins, virtual cosmetics or NFTs used in certain video games.
Virtual casinos now restricted to adults
Another notable change is that virtual casinos, games that simulate casino mechanics without real money stakes or winnings, will now be subject to age restrictions. Only users aged 18 and over will be able to view these videos.
In December 2024, Google introduced an advertising exception for this type of game, considering them to be entertainment without financial risk. YouTube is now aligning its moderation with a more cautious approach, aimed at preventing the trivialisation of gambling among young people.
The company has stated that these measures are intended to maintain the platform’s overall compliance with developments in online gambling and to ensure the safety of young audiences, which is one of its ongoing priorities.
Stronger regulation
Several measures have already been introduced by YouTube since 19 March 2025. These include a total ban on any promotion of illegal casinos or sites not approved by Google. Videos advertising online gambling are also automatically restricted to adults, a measure welcomed by several consumer protection associations.In parallel with its tougher policy on gambling, YouTube has also tightened its rules on the broadcasting of graphic violence in video games. Sequences that are too realistic or shocking, particularly during live streams, will now be subject to stricter filtering to prevent them from being exposed to the general public.