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- YouTube is set to implement age restrictions on videos featuring graphic violence in gaming, marking a significant policy shift.
- This change, effective Nov. 17, aims to align content guidelines with industry standards, particularly in an evolving digital landscape that includes online gambling.
The new policy by YouTube targets videos that showcase realistic human characters in scenes of torture or mass violence against non-combatants. It will also ban videos that direct people to online gambling sites that are not certified by Google. This could directly impact sweepstakes casinos, which are already under scrutiny by states across the US.
Under this policy, the platform will assess the duration and prominence of graphic scenes to determine if they warrant age restrictions, specifically for viewers under 18 years old. Previously, YouTube allowed dramatized violence in fictional content, but this shift indicates a stricter stance against realistic portrayals.
YouTube indicated the updates are designed to adapt to new trends in digital gaming, including the emergence of real-money online casinos.
The updates come in light of increasing scrutiny on the relationship between gambling and younger audiences, particularly following recent sports betting scandals. As regulators heighten their awareness of gambling practices, bettors and operators should anticipate stricter policies and potential impacts on advertising strategies in the online gambling landscape.
Online casino promotions could be impacted
This change could also reshape how online casino games are presented on the platform. With restrictions on promoting unverified gambling sites and age-gating sweepstakes casino content, both creators and viewers will face new hurdles.
While the impact may be minimal for most channels, content providers will need to adjust by editing their descriptions and potentially modifying or removing graphic content. This effort to curb exposure to graphic violence aligns with broader concerns about responsible gaming and viewer protection, potentially influencing how gambling is marketed on digital platforms.
Looking forward, YouTube’s changes signal a shift towards greater accountability in online spaces, particularly concerning the portrayal of gambling. Creators should prepare for an increase in compliance requirements and anticipate further updates as the platform adjusts to regulatory pressures. As the gambling industry evolves, staying attuned to these trends will be essential for operators aiming to navigate this changing environment successfully.
Based on reporting by Ashwin for ghacks.net.
