Starting this Monday (17), YouTube is changing its policy on access to videos with gambling content for underage users. The new guidelines establish stricter limits for materials with Graphic violence in games and content related to online gambling.
The main objective of the changes is to distance minors from potentially harmful materials.
What changes in YouTube’s gambling content policy?
The platform expands the scope of oversight in the gambling sector. Therefore, Google restricts any material related to gambling when it identifies a connection to uncertified platforms.
The measure includes content based solely on virtual items such as skins, cosmetics, or NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). Therefore, the restriction covers everything from conventional videos to live streams. Mentions and demonstrations of betting services without company approval are also included in the rule.
For YouTube, this update reflects the growth of betting modalities linked to digital assets.
Social casino gaming materials fall under the same blocking guidelines. Previously, since March, citing or displaying gambling services without Google’s approval was already prohibited.
Now, the restriction becomes definitive for those under 18 years of age, even when no real money is involved.
Violence in video games also faces restrictions.
Simultaneously, YouTube is intensifying its controls on videos depicting realistic human violence in games. The platform seeks to reduce teenagers’ exposure to harmful scenes.
Creators are advised to adjust their channels before the policy is fully implemented.
Old videos may be removed or marked as unsuitable for minors, but without direct penalties.
With this, the platform seeks to align its rules with the current landscape of electronic games and the practices of the rest of the digital content industry.
How will illegal betting operations be affected by the changes?
The dissemination of information, especially about illegal betting, is changing because several channels were broadcasting 24-hour live streams with demonstrations of games on these platforms.
Daniel Fortune, who creates content aimed at raising awareness among bettors, said: “The Bureau of Prizes and Betting (SPA/MF) does not allow minors under 18 to gamble, so advertising should not be directed at this age group either.”
“Along these lines, Annex X of CONAR (National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation) stipulates that advertising for betting should not be directed at minors.”
In this sense, the new policies reinforce the importance of good practices within the market. Other measures had already been adopted in this direction.
The importance of responsible advertising in betting.
João Fraga, CEO of Paag, emphasizes the importance of responsible advertising. Furthermore, he highlights the need to improve barriers within the betting sites themselves.
The goal is to prevent minors from accessing the area and to stop compulsive behaviors. João Fraga emphasizes: “Care for minors and maintaining regulatory compliance are fundamental to ensuring the safety of everyone involved.”
Along these lines, we always say that improving responsible gaming tools, such as self-exclusion and deposit limits, is also very important, but beyond that, generating intelligence through information and interpreting player actions from different perspectives is crucial to understanding patterns that precede risky behaviors.
Cristiano Costa works as a clinical and organizational psychologist and Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) at the Brazilian Company for Support of Compulsive Disorders (EBAC).. He lists the precautions that any betting advertisement should take.
“Responsible campaigns should focus on the fun aspect alongside the risks involved. They should also adopt transparency rules and provide visible warnings about the risk of addiction, similar to what already happens in other sectors, such as alcohol and tobacco, for example.”
And this should happen with many other products and services that encourage unrestrained spending. Omitting this information from advertisements, in any economic sector, should be subject to sanctions by the bodies responsible for regulation and oversight in the advertising industry. “That’s all,” Costa concluded.