Google Bans Ads for Offline Gambling in 35 Countries

Google Enforces Ban on Offline Gambling Ads in Multiple Countries

Google has revised its gambling advertising policy to better align with the legal landscape in various countries. Under the updated rules, advertising for offline gambling activities is now prohibited in all jurisdictions where such promotions are illegal.

List of Affected Countries Where Offline Gambling Ads Are No Longer Allowed

The new policy impacts advertisers targeting 35 countries where offline real-money gambling advertisements violate local laws. These countries include Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Djibouti, Egypt, Estonia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Northern Ireland, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Yemen.

This policy change took effect on November 19, making it clear that promoting offline gambling is forbidden in regions where it is illegal. Advertisers will need to adjust their strategies to comply with these new guidelines.

Multiple Updates Reflect Google’s Efforts to Regulate Gambling Ads

These latest restrictions follow several updates to Google’s Gambling Policy throughout the year, aimed at controlling the spread of gambling advertisements, especially in countries where gambling is banned. Earlier revisions clarified what constitutes gambling-related content and introduced tougher enforcement measures, including possible account suspensions for repeated violations.

Further amendments addressed gambling policies with country-specific nuances. Notably, Google also revised its stance on sweepstakes products, distinguishing them from social casino games and excluding them from the social casino certification process.

Games that involve real-world rewards are governed by the respective online gambling policy restrictions and permissions.

Google

Meanwhile, while Google tightens advertising rules globally, Australia has recently eased its regulations on online gambling ads, despite public demands for a complete ban.