Meta Tightens Gambling Ad Rules 

Mandatory Authorization for Gambling Ads

All advertisements promoting real-money gaming, including iGaming, sports betting, online casinos, lotteries, and poker, must now undergo Meta’s “Permissions and Verifications” process via Business Suite.

Advertisers need valid gambling licenses and compliance with local laws in targeted regions, with approvals tied to specific ad accounts. New business profiles require separate internal verification, ensuring only licensed operators can advertise. “

These steps professionalize the ecosystem and close regulatory gaps,” said a Meta spokesperson. The process aims to curb unregulated ads, which accounted for 10% of gambling promotions on social platforms in 2024.

Rigorous Documentation and Verification

Advertisers must specify their role, operator, aggregator, partner, or agent, and the type of gambling activity promoted. They are required to submit extensive documentation, including current licenses, legal compliance certificates, company names, website or app screenshots, and full lists of ad accounts, all in English.

Meta’s internal teams manually review submissions, with variable response times and potential requests for additional documents post-approval.

The new rules formalize influencer promotions. If an operator tags or mentions a creator, no separate approval is needed, but creators directly promoting gambling ads must register as partners, gain Meta’s approval, and provide signed partnership agreements.

Social casinos and free-play games offering no monetary value are exempt from prior authorization but must still avoid targeting users under 18 and display disclaimers about in-app purchases and the lack of real-money gambling outcomes.

Meta’s policies apply globally, with a list of prohibited jurisdictions, such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan, where gambling ads are banned due to restrictive laws.