Despite its dangers, gambling remains a huge part of the creator ecosystem. The streamer community is especially drawn into what they call the “gamba meta.” As defined by TubeFilter, the gamba meta involves the practice of offshore, online casinos paying streamers absurd amounts of money to stream themselves gambling to their usually young, impressionable audience. For example, TubeFilter reports that Stake.com paid xQc millions to gamble on streamers like Twitch.
It’s now been two years since Twitch banned gambling from its website, but the continuing influence gambling has in the creator space — especially on platforms like Kick and Rumble — is clear to see.
How Is YouTube Tackling Gambling?
YouTube is now the latest platform to take a stand against gambling. On March 4, the platform announced that it now prohibits content which directs users to “unapproved” gambling websites. This includes links, pictures, text, icons, and even verbal references. As reported by CNN, YouTube defines “unapproved” gambling websites as those that don’t meet local legal requirements and haven’t been reviewed by the platform.
“We’ve strengthened our policies that prohibit content directing viewers to unapproved gambling websites or applications,” YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle said to CNN. “We will also begin age-restricting content that promotes online casinos.”
In terms of age restriction, users under 18 and those without an account will not be able to view gambling content.
YouTube says it will start enforcing the guidelines on March 19.
