Google Policy: Users Can Opt-Out Of YouTube Gambling Ads

Search engine giant Google is allowing YouTube users in the United States to opt-out of ads for gambling and alcohol.  Google Ads and non-US YouTube users will gain this option in early 2021.

YouTube users can still expect to run into contextual ads related to alcohol and gambling, based on the sites they visit.

Google Listens to User Feedback

In a blog post published earlier this month, Debbie Weinstine, VP of YouTube and Video Global Solutions, noted that Google had been hearing from users that they wanted this opt-out option.

“This new feature is an extra step, putting choice in the user’s hands and enabling you to further control your ad experience. With a click of a button, you can choose to see fewer gambling and alcohol ads. It is also reversible; should you change your mind, you can click to see such ads again,” wrote Weinstein.

Existing Gambling Ad Restrictions

In countries where there are already restrictions against gambling and alcohol ads, users won’t be seeing any change in their policies.

Google already has existing policies that determine personalization for gambling and alcohol ads, including age restrictions in many locales.

“We’ve long had features like Mute this ad, where people can indicate which ads they’d rather not see,” pointed out Weinstein.

However, the new feature will give an extra layer of control to users who would prefer to avoid gambling and alcohol ads.

How to Opt-Out of Gambling Ads

Here’s how users can opt-out of gambling and alcohol ads:

• Click on your profile icon when logged into your Google account
• Choose Manage Your Google Account
• Click on Privacy & Personalization box or Data & Personalization link in the side menu.
• Go to the Ad Personalization box or through a link to the Ad Settings page.
• On the Google Add Settings page, scroll down to the Ad Categories on Your YouTube section to view two selections.
• Choose to see fewer alcohol and/or gambling ads

What Google Says About Gambling & Games Advertising

Google’s advertising policy states that the search engine supports responsible gambling advertising and abides by local gambling laws and industry standards. Therefore it doesn’t allow certain kinds of gambling-related advertising. Gambling-related ads are only allowed if they comply with specific policies, and the advertiser has obtained the proper Google Ads certification. That includes target approved countries, a landing page that displays responsible gambling information, and never targeting minors.

Examples of gambling-related content that Google allows only under certain conditions include:

• Offline gambling (such as brick and mortar casinos in Las Vegas).
• Online gambling – the promotion of online, real-money gambling
• Online non-casino games such as fantasy sports
• Social casino games

Google Relaxed Online Gambling Restrictions in 2019

Late last year, Gambling Compliance reported that Google had expanded a beta program that allowed sports betting advertisements in legal US jurisdictions. At the time, Google only permitted gambling ads targeting users in Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia.

The October 2019 update expanded the list of permitted jurisdictions to include Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.