Google has announced an update to its Google Publisher Restrictions policy, specifically targeting online gambling content. This change, set to take effect in March 2025, will restrict the display of online gambling content to users located outside of approved countries. Publishers who fail to comply may face demonetization or penalties under Google AdSense policies.
Key Update: Gambling Content Restricted by Location
Under the new policy, online gambling content and advertisements must only be shown to users in specific “allowed countries.” If such content is displayed to users outside these regions, the publisher may violate Google’s policies.
Allowed Countries
As per the update, online gambling content and ads will only be permitted for users located in the following countries:
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Colombia
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Philippines
- South Korea
- Spain
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United States
What is Considered Online Gambling Content?
According to Google’s Publisher Policies, online gambling content includes:
✅ Platforms that allow users to participate in real-money gambling online
✅ Any internet-based game where users wager money or valuable items to win cash or prizes
✅ Websites that sell lottery tickets or scratch cards online
✅ Online sports betting platforms
✅ Aggregator or affiliate sites that promote gambling websites
For more details, check Google’s official Publisher Policies.
What This Means for AdSense Publishers
If your website features any online gambling-related content, you should take steps to comply with this policy update to avoid restrictions or demonetization.
Actionable Steps for Publishers
🔹 Review your content – If your website includes gambling-related content or ads, ensure they only target users from allowed countries.
🔹 Implement geo-blocking – Use tools to restrict access to gambling content for users outside approved regions.
🔹 Adjust ad placements – If you use AdSense or other ad networks, configure your settings to comply with Google’s new restrictions.
🔹 Monitor website traffic – Analyze where your users are coming from to avoid policy violations.
Final Thoughts
Google’s new Publisher Restrictions for Online Gambling reinforce its efforts to regulate gambling-related content and protect users in restricted regions. While no immediate action is required, publishers with gambling-related content should review their audience and advertising strategies to stay compliant.
Would you like help assessing your website’s compliance or implementing geo-restrictions? Let us know in the comments! 🚀
Bhuvaneswari is a prolific news anchor and currently contributes academic content at https://tswreis.in/