YouTube to Ban Gambling Content Tied to In-Game Skins and NFTs
YouTube will implement stringent new restrictions on gambling-related content starting 17 November 2025, prohibiting videos and advertisements that direct viewers to platforms where wagers involve digital goods possessing real-world monetary value. This policy explicitly targets the expanding market surrounding Counter-Strike 2 skins, marking the platform’s initial direct action against gambling facilitated by tradable in-game assets.
The updated Community Guidelines will enforce rigorous prohibitions on any material that promotes or links to gambling sites utilizing virtual items—such as cosmetic enhancements, skins, or non-fungible tokens (NFTs)—that can be exchanged for currency. The only permitted exceptions are websites certified through Google Ads, which must adhere to applicable local legal requirements before receiving approval. YouTube has stated that this adjustment is designed to “keep pace with emerging trends, including wagering on digital commodities,” thereby acknowledging the deepening integration of gaming and gambling ecosystems.
This development carries significant ramifications for the Counter-Strike 2 economy, where players routinely trade weapon skins valued at thousands of dollars. Various third-party platforms enable users to stake these items in roulette-style games or esports betting, effectively converting aesthetic assets into a virtual currency. YouTube’s measure parallels Twitch’s 2023 decision, under Amazon ownership, to ban sponsorships associated with skin-gambling sites; however, Twitch’s enforcement has been uneven, raising questions about YouTube’s ability to ensure consistent compliance.
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The policy revision forms part of a broader overhaul of content standards. YouTube will also impose age restrictions on videos featuring casino-style games without real monetary stakes and adopt a stricter approach to gameplay footage depicting “realistic human” violence. The announcement follows closely on the heels of Valve’s major update to Counter-Strike 2, which triggered a sharp decline in the total market value of skins from approximately six billion dollars to roughly three billion. YouTube Gambling Content
