YouTube will implement stricter policies on online gambling content starting March 19, aiming to protect viewers, particularly younger audiences, from potentially harmful material.

The company announced that the revised rules expand its restrictions on illegal or regulated goods and services, specifically targeting content that promotes or directs users to unapproved gambling sites or applications.

Under the new guidelines, creators will be prohibited from embedding URLs, displaying logos, or making verbal references that lead viewers to gambling platforms not certified by Google. Additionally, content promising guaranteed financial returns from gambling will be removed, even if the associated site or app is Google-certified.

Videos featuring online casino content—excluding online sports betting and in-person gambling depictions—may also be age-restricted, preventing access for users under 18 or those not signed into their accounts.

YouTube acknowledged that these changes may impact content creators focused on online gambling-related videos. However, the platform emphasized that the updates are necessary to protect its community and maintain a safer online environment.

This move follows earlier efforts by YouTube and other platforms to curb gambling-related content. In 2021, YouTube banned gambling ads from its masthead slot, a prominent homepage advertising space.

In 2022, Twitch restricted streams featuring gambling sites with slots, roulette, or dice games. Last month, Google also announced plans to test a machine learning model for estimating users’ ages, enabling platforms like YouTube to offer age-appropriate experiences.