YouTube is embarking on a major change to its framework for gambling promotion, which could have a significant impact on streamers.
As part of a wider change to its policies, the platform is set to prohibit the promotion of “unapproved” websites.
Under the rules, creators are no longer allowed to direct users to unapproved gambling websites through links, images, text, logos or verbal references.
This addition of verbal references may also have an impact on the myriad of collaborations agreed between some of the most watched podcasts and gambling operators.
According to YouTube, unapproved gambling sites refer to those that don’t meet local requirements and haven’t been reviewed by YouTube or parent company Google.
First reported by CNN, YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle also confirmed that the video-sharing site will also “begin age-restricting content that promotes online casinos”.
What it means is that those under 18 or those not logged in to the site will no longer be able to view content that depicts or promotes online betting sites.
“We know this update may impact creators who focus on online gambling content like casino games and applications, but we believe these changes are a necessary step in protecting our community, especially younger viewers,” YouTube said in the announcement.
Both updates are set to come into force on March 19.
It follows changes around streamer regulation in recent times, with Twitch taking a new stance when it comes to gambling – implementing a full ban on the streaming of gambling sites not licensed in the US or other jurisdictions that “provide sufficient consumer protection”.
More recently, Kick strengthened its guidelines regarding KYC and ID verification, mandating that gambling content can only be streamed from gambling sites that have utilised ID to verify the KYC of their viewers.
This action followed a partnership between Kick and the Internet Watch Forum, which is clamping down on “harmful and exploitative content”.
Notably, streamers began to migrate to Kick in response to Twitch’s change in guidelines, and the latest update was met with disappointment from some users.
Streamer Xposed posted on X: “The sole purpose to create kick was for a place for gamblers to have the freedom to stream wherever they want and have a home to stream at. Now these guys at Stake are losing streamers by the day and were forced to provide an extra level of KYC check to the website.
“All this shows is CONTROL over their website entirely and to make everybody come back to Stake and promote only their product.”