YouTube Cracks Down On Gambling-Related Content

As online gaming and sports betting have grown in popularity, YouTube is now cracking down on videos promoting gambling sites.

The platform announced this week that content promoting “unapproved” gambling websites through links, images, text, logos or verbal references would no longer be allowed. This refers to gaming sites that don’t meet local legal standards and haven’t been reviewed by YouTube or parent company Google, according to CNN.

“We’ve strengthened our policies that prohibit content directing viewers to unapproved gambling websites or applications,” YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle said. “We will also begin age-restricting content that promotes online casinos.”

Could Poker Content Be Affected?

The changes add to YouTube’s current policy barring links to external sites that violate the platform’s rules. The changes now only allow those 18 or over to view anything related to online betting sites. Those logged out will also not be able to view this material.

Sports betting videos and other gambling videos that supposedly teach players how to win have regularly attracted numerous views, especially as online sports betting legalization spread throughout most of the country.

This kind of “sensational language” is banned on YouTube, but the company is now looking to limit this type of content even more.

It’s unclear if poker vlog, cash game streams, and other informational videos on how to play certain games will be affected. Those not promising winnings or promoting gaming sites may be unaffected, but it may be interesting to see how this plays out.

However, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that online poker videos could be affected. In September, Hustler Casino Live had its YouTube channel suspended for a week. HCL co-owner Ryan Feldman told PokerNews the suspension “has to do with advertisers they (YouTube) don’t like.”

The show, which received an investment from GGPoker parent company NSUS Group, moved to Twitch for the week. But the incident shows how reliant content producers can be on YouTube for revenue streams.

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