YouTube has announced it is tightening restrictions on gambling content.
The online video sharing platform wants to strengthen the protection of vulnerable audiences from gambling content as well as graphic video game violence.
In September, a GambleAware study revealed that 87% of young people had viewed gambling content on the internet through platforms such as YouTube.
From November 17, the platform will step up enforcement of its Community Guidelines in accordance with new digital trends and industry standards for mature and regulated content.
The updated framework will prevent creators from directing users to gambling websites or apps not verified by Google.
It will also cover gambling involving digital goods with monetary value such as video game skins, cosmetics and non-fungible tokens (NTFs).
Casino-style games that simulate real gambling mechanics but don’t pay out real money will be age-restricted to audiences aged 18 or over.
In an additional move to protect youngsters, YouTube is bolstering its stance on graphic violence in gaming and age restrictions will apply to videos featuring realistic human characters in scenes of torture or mass violence.
YouTube insists that most creators will experience little or no impact by these changes, but those who it may impact have been encouraged to review and edit their content before the new regulations are enforced.
Older videos that breach the updated guidelines could be removed or age-restricted but creators don’t have to worry about strikes issued for uploads made before the change.
In a statement, YouTube wrote: “Our policies continue to evolve with the digital ecosystem. These updates ensure YouTube remains a safe environment for users while allowing creative freedom for our creator community.”
Earlier this month, a YouTube ad by UK gambling firm Betway was banned as it featured football fans wearing clothing and scarves with the Chelsea FC badge – a popular Premier League football club.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled it was of strong appeal to children or young people who supported Chelsea.
Joe Lyons is a betting industry writer for GamblingIndustryNews with years of experience on reputable gambling websites. Joe specialises in long form content in the world of sports betting and gambling. Joe is recognised as an expert in sports fields such as horse racing, soccer, NFL and NBA.
