YouTube will implement stricter rules for content related to gambling and video game violence, effective from 17 November 2025. The changes aim to meet updated digital safety standards and limit exposure to mature themes for younger viewers. Creators who produce gaming, casino simulation, or NFT-related content will need to adjust their material to comply with the new guidelines.
YouTube is tightening its content rules in response to growing concerns over virtual gambling using in-game items and increasingly realistic depictions of violence in games. The update aims to reduce minors’ exposure to such content and promote safer viewing standards.
YouTube will begin enforcing its updated content rules on 17 November 2025. Creators have a grace period to review and adjust their content to meet the new standards. Previously, YouTube restricted links to unauthorised gambling sites. The new policy expands to include gambling involving digital assets such as video game skins, cosmetics, and NFTs with real-world monetary value.
Content showing gambling with items like CS: GO skins or NFT tokens is now under review. YouTube aims to limit the promotion of gambling using virtual goods due to their potential financial impact, particularly on younger audiences.
Video removal or automatic age limits may be applied to creators of skin trading or NFT-based gambling content. According to YouTube’s new standards, displaying such behaviour, even in the absence of external links, is now considered gambling promotion.
Videos featuring social casino-style games, such as virtual slots, roulette, or poker, will be automatically age-restricted starting mid-November. These games, though not involving real money, are considered simulations of gambling behaviour. Creators can still upload this content, but it will be limited to viewers aged 18 and above and may face reduced visibility and monetisation.
YouTube is tightening its guidelines for violent video games, particularly when characters that resemble humans are hurt. The authenticity, length, and prominence of violent sequences will all be taken into consideration when evaluating the content. Age limits or removal may apply to content that depicts torture, executions, or injury to non-combatants.
Creators producing content from horror, shooter, or war-themed games, such as Call of Duty, Resident Evil, or The Last of Us, may need to edit or blur certain scenes. YouTube offers tools to help meet these requirements without deleting entire videos.
Older videos that violate the updated rules may be age-restricted or removed, but YouTube will not issue strikes for them. Creators can appeal flagged content through YouTube Studio. Including timestamps and context, such as educational or documentary intent, can support the appeal.
To comply with YouTube’s updated content policies, creators should review their existing videos before 17 November, edit or blur any scenes involving gambling or graphic violence, apply manual age restrictions where necessary, remove links to gambling or NFT platforms, and regularly check YouTube’s Creator Blog for further updates.
The updated policy complies with international norms and tackles issues of underage exposure, digital addiction, and abuse of virtual economies. The goal of the modifications is to lessen young players’ exposure to gambling mechanics in games, which could encourage dangerous conduct. YouTube is anticipated to keep revising its guidelines as blockchain, AI, and VR develop. It is recommended that content creators adjust and keep their work transparent.
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