YouTube Expands Gambling Policy, Restricts Age for Social Casino Content
YouTube is implementing two major changes to its enforcement of rules regarding gambling content, effective November 17, 2025. These updates are intended to keep pace with the evolving digital world, particularly the rise of digital assets in wagering and the popularity of casino-style games that target younger audiences.
The first change expands the platform’s online gambling policy. The second introduces age restrictions for social casino content. YouTube anticipates that the majority of channels will see little to no impact from these new rules.
New Rules Target Digital Goods and NFT Gambling
YouTube is broadening its policy that prohibits content directing viewers to online gambling sites or apps not certified by Google. The updated enforcement will now include online gambling that uses additional items with monetary value.
This expansion is specifically designed to cover new trends such as digital goods gambling. The rules will now target content featuring wagering with items like video game skins, cosmetic items, and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). This change aims to clamp down on content that facilitates the use of digital assets for real-world gambling, an area where regulatory oversight has often lagged.
Age Restrictions for Social Casino Games
YouTube is also updating its approach to social casino content. This category includes casino-style games where no actual money or monetary value is staked or paid out.
Under the new guidelines, content that shows, promotes, or facilitates the use of social casino websites will now be subject to age restriction. This means that only viewers aged 18 or older will be able to access this type of content. The move is meant to align the platform’s adult content guidelines with industry standards and better protect minors from exposure to casino-style mechanics.
For creators, any content uploaded before November 17, 2025, that violates these new guidelines may be removed or age-restricted, but it will not result in a channel strike. Age-restricted videos can remain on the channel but will have limited monetization capabilities.
YouTube advises creators impacted by the update to edit their video descriptions or use the platform’s editing tools (such as trimming or blurring) to comply before the November deadline. Creators will be notified via email if their content is removed or restricted, and they will retain the right to appeal the decision.
Recommended