YouTube is tightening its restrictions on gambling-related content as online betting continues to expand in the United States. The platform announced Tuesday that it will no longer allow videos directing viewers to unapproved gambling websites through links, images, text, logos, or verbal references. Unapproved sites are defined as those that fail to meet local legal requirements and have not been reviewed by YouTube or its parent company, Google.
The update strengthens YouTube’s existing policy, which already prohibits linking to external sites that violate its rules. Additionally, the platform will begin age-restricting content that promotes online casinos, meaning users under 18 or those not logged in will be unable to access such videos.
“YouTube has strengthened its policies against content directing viewers to unapproved gambling websites or applications,” spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle told CNN ahead of the announcement.
Since the Supreme Court allowed states to legalize sports gambling in 2018, online betting has grown into a massive industry, including wagering on events like elections. Many YouTube videos offering strategies for making money from online betting have amassed hundreds of thousands of views.
However, gambling regulations vary by region, and experts warn that millions of Americans may be at risk of developing gambling addictions. In response, YouTube has reinforced its stance by removing content that guarantees winnings or loss recovery, even if the sites involved are legally approved.
The new policy will take effect on March 19, marking the latest in a series of content moderation updates by YouTube. In recent years, the platform has taken steps to remove misinformation on topics such as vaccines and abortion, as well as content promoting harmful behaviors like extreme calorie counting. In 2023, it also introduced disclosure requirements for AI-generated content that could mislead viewers.
While platforms like YouTube have introduced stricter policies, enforcement remains a challenge. Tech giants have faced criticism for failing to uphold their own rules consistently, but YouTube says it is committed to implementing the new guidelines effectively.
