In the betting sector, the platform is expanding its oversight: any content involving games of chance — even those based solely on virtual items such as skins, cosmetics, or NFTs — will be restricted whenever connected to platforms not certified by Google.
The measure affects everything from traditional videos to livestreams, including mentions or demonstrations of betting services that do not have Google’s approval. For YouTube, this update reflects the rapid growth of betting modalities tied to digital assets.
In addition, social casino game content will fall under the same restrictions. Since March, creators were already prohibited from mentioning or displaying betting services without Google’s approval, but now the restriction becomes definitive for users under 18 — even when no real money is involved.
At the same time, YouTube is strengthening its control over videos featuring realistic human violence in games, aiming to reduce minors’ exposure to harmful scenes. Creators are encouraged to adjust their channels before the policy fully takes effect, as older videos may be removed or marked as inappropriate for minors — though without direct penalties.
With these changes, the platform seeks to align its rules with the current gaming landscape and with industry-wide digital content standards.
With the new restrictions, the promotion of clandestine ‘Bets’ is expected to be significantly affected, considering that several channels had long used livestreams featuring illegal ‘Bets’ demonstrations running 24 hours a day.
For Daniel Fortune, a content creator focused on raising awareness among bettors about the risks of playing on ‘Bets’, the new policies — together with previously adopted measures — reinforce the importance of good practices within the industry.
“The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) does not allow minors under 18 to play on ‘Bets’, so advertising must also not be directed at that age group, in line with Conar’s Annex X. Likewise, content emphasizing betting must carry this restriction, as already ensured by YouTube’s content filters. But of course, this restriction alone is not enough — we must continuously educate bettors to guarantee a safer and healthier experience,” he explains.
In the same vein, João Fraga, CEO of Paag, stresses the importance of responsible advertising and improving internal safeguards within betting platforms to prevent minors’ access and curb compulsive behaviors.
“It is essential to protect minors and ensure regulatory compliance to safeguard everyone involved. In this sense, we always emphasize how important it is to enhance Responsible Gaming tools, such as self-exclusion and deposit limits, but also to generate intelligence from user data and interpret player actions from different perspectives to understand patterns that precede risky behavior,” he notes.
Cristiano Costa, psychologist and Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) at EBAC — the Brazilian Support Organization for Compulsive Gamblers — highlights the precautions any bet-related advertising must take.
“Responsible campaigns should emphasize fun with risk. They must adopt transparent rules and provide visible warnings about addiction risk, similar to what already happens in sectors such as alcohol and tobacco. And it should also apply to several other products and services that stimulate excessive spending. Omitting such information in advertising — in any economic sector — should lead to sanctions from regulatory and supervisory bodies,” he argues.
Source: GMB
