YouTube Builds on Online Gambling Framework With New Policy Introduced

YouTube has confirmed it will be updating its guidelines on online gambling and video content in a bid to protect vulnerable people. The measures are expected to come into effect from November 17, and the emphasis is on stopping creators from directing users to gambling websites which are not certified by Google.

This isn’t the first time that YouTube has strengthened its controls on content published. In March this year, YouTube updated its policy to prevent creators from including URLs, embedded links, visual logos, or even verbally referencing gambling sites not approved by Google. Now, YouTube wants to go much deeper to keep its audience safe.

Matching digital trends

YouTube’s changes have been purposeful. In a press statement released this week by Rob, a Google employee, carefully explained how the updated policies were brought in to help YouTube evolve in a fast-developing digital world.

More pertinently, the updates have been brought about to ‘keep pace with new trends’, such as gambling with virtual economies. In essence, the measures are supposed to dovetail more closely with more mature content that adheres to industry standards.

A sweeping approach

The changes that have been applied are sweeping, and the measures aren’t limited to online gambling content. YouTube is also bringing in stricter measures to govern the way social casino content and graphic gaming content is relayed, and these will be age-restricted.

With graphic content, for example, YouTube admits it will assess several factors before determining whether the content shared is appropriate. The criteria taken into account include:

• Duration - If the graphic scene is sustained (rather than fleeting). For complication videos, we’ll now consider the cumulative duration of all of the graphic clips combined.
• Prominence - If the violent imagery is zoomed in or is the main focus of the scene.
• Realistic human characters - If the violence is happening to a character that looks like a real human.

What will be the overall impact?

It was stipulated by YouTube that creators will experience little or no impact from the new changes brought in. However, they admitted it will take some time for creators to get their heads around it, providing a summary of the key points:

• Existing videos - Content which was uploaded before November 17, 2025, that violates these guidelines may be removed or age-restricted, but won’t result in a strike. Age-restricted videos can remain on the channel if they are for 18+ audiences.
• Making edits - For creators who have content that’s within the scope of the updates, you will be able to edit your video description or use YouTube’s video editor trim or blur tools before November 17.
• Notifications - If your content is removed or violates the age-restriction policy, then you’ll be notified by email. Creators can choose to appeal if they disagree with the decision.

Making gambling fit for purpose

YouTube has taken decisive action to quash content that could affect those with gambling problems. A recent research paper published by GambleAware illustrated how 62% of 11-17-year-olds had seen or heard gambling advertising via online social media and streaming platforms.

And Anna Hargrave, GambleAware Transition CEO, suggested that the current gambling advertising methods aren’t fit for purpose. She said:

“The current regulations covering gambling marketing and advertising online were designed before most children had easy access to the internet. Urgent action is needed to update these rules and bring them into the digital age to help keep children and young people safe from gambling harm.”