* New guidelines restrict gambling-related content using tradable gaming items like skins and NFTs.
* Only Google Ads-certified gambling links that comply with local laws will be allowed.
* Age restrictions and tighter oversight to apply for casino-style games and violent content.
YouTube is tightening its Community Guidelines from November 17, 2025, to regulate videos and promotions that connect viewers to gambling websites using digital assets such as game skins, NFTs, or in-game items with real-world value.
The platform said that only gambling links from Google Ads-certified sites, which adhere to local laws, will be permitted. This move aims to reduce exposure to unregulated gambling content and protect users, particularly younger audiences, from misleading or risky promotions.
The Counter-Strike 2 community is likely to feel the immediate impact. Some third-party sites have allowed players to gamble valuable weapon skins on esports matches or roulette-style games, effectively turning digital cosmetics into currency. YouTube’s updated policy follows similar steps taken by Twitch in 2023, though enforcement has been uneven across platforms.
In addition, YouTube plans to age-restrict videos featuring casino-style games even those without real-money betting and increase monitoring of footage that shows realistic human violence.
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The timing coincides with a major Counter-Strike 2 update that recently caused skin prices to drop by nearly 50%, highlighting how volatile digital markets can be.
Through these updates, YouTube aims to draw a clearer line between gaming and gambling, ensuring its community remains safe, responsible, and compliant with global regulations.
