YouTube tightens gambling and violence rules for gaming videos

YouTube said it will begin enforcing stricter rules on November 17, 2025, that expand restrictions on online gambling content involving digital goods and introduce new age limits for gaming videos that depict realistic human violence. The changes, announced by the platform, are aimed at curbing videos that promote or facilitate gambling with items such as video game skins, cosmetics and NFTs, and at limiting access to gameplay that includes prolonged or prominent scenes of torture or mass violence against noncombatants.

Under the updated Community Guidelines, YouTube will act against content that directs viewers to third party gambling sites or apps where digital items can be cashed out for real money. The policy covers videos that advertise, promote or facilitate wagering using tradable in-game assets. There is an exception for sites that have been certified by Google for advertising and that meet applicable local legal requirements. In addition, videos that depict social casino-style games will be age-restricted, even if those games do not involve real-money stakes.

The move targets a growing market in some competitive games where cosmetic items can have significant market...