YouTube Cracking Down on Poker Content: Potential Closure for Video Producers?
New Crackdown on Poker Content on YouTube Leaves Creators Grinding for Answers
Content producers like Nick Eastwood are losing reach and income due to YouTube's increased scrutiny over poker videos. © freestocks.org/Pexels
Uncertain Times for Poker YouTubers
Poker-focused YouTubers such as Nick Eastwood are facing an influx of age restrictions, video removals, and reduced ad revenue since April 2025. This issue affects both newly uploaded and older videos.
The problem is that YouTube provides no explanation about what content might lead to sanctions. In a video, Eastwood discussed his experience, highlighting how two similar streams received different treatment, with one being age-restricted while the other was not. YouTube's pre-screening of videos also appears unreliable; some are removed from monetization moments after passing checks.
"I uploaded a video three days ago, and it passed all checks. I published it, and then it was quickly restricted, which is completely impractical." - Nick Eastwood*, Poker Content Creator, YouTube
revenue stream dries up
Nearly all age-restricted videos are also decategorized as ad-unfriendly. The result is shrinking or non-existent ad revenue. Eastwood reported earning only 2 GBP (around 2.35 EUR) for a recent video, which represents about ten percent of his previous earnings.
Brad Owen, another poker YouTuber, reported over 30 videos restricted in this manner, despite only 0.4% of his viewers being under 18. Smaller creators like Weazel have also reported significant drops in views, from 1,000 to 2,000 to as few as 150.
Some appeals against these restrictions have been partially successful, but no clear trend has emerged.
A tough hand for poker channels
This tightening of the rules is due to a recent YouTube update implementing stricter guidelines for gambling content. Poker channels have faced such restrictions in the past.
Who is Nick Eastwood?
Nick Eastwood represents the new wave of professional poker players making smart use of social media. Initially active as an online and live player, he built a YouTube channel with approximately 20,000 subscribers over a four-year period. His content includes poker streams, tournament analyses, learning videos, and vlogs, often with a touch of British humor.
Unlike many content creators, Eastwood has largely eschewed sponsors to maintain independence within the poker community. Eastwood is also involved in the community, serving as an active member of various Discord servers, hosting coaching sessions, and supporting smaller channels through collaborations. His philosophy: Poker should be enjoyable without being overly optimistic about the outcomes.
YouTube now bans any form of linking to uncertified gambling sites, including logos, embedded links, or verbal mentions. Content containing online casino ads can only be viewed by registered users age 18 and up.
Exceptions include sports betting and traditional offline gambling. Infringements may result in suspensions of the channel.
World Series of Poker under Threat
With the World Series of Poker (WSOP) scheduled to take place in a few weeks, many creators fear a significant drop in visibility and access due to the new YouTube policies. As YouTube has yet to provide clear answers, some creators are already looking for alternatives like Twitch, Rumble, or niche poker platforms.
With the market dominance of YouTube, moving to alternative platforms presents a challenge, but several creators see it as a necessary step in ensuring the long-term survival of their communities.
- Poker-centric YouTubers, such as Nick Eastwood, are grappling with a surge of age restrictions, video removals, and reduced ad revenue since April 2025.
- To Eastwood's dismay, YouTube's unexplained sanctions create an inconsistent environment, with some videos receiving age restrictions while similar content does not.
- YouTube's pre-screening seems unreliable, with videos sometimes removed from monetization shortly after passing checks.
- This crackdown on poker content has left content creators like Eastwood with decreased or no ad revenue, earning only a fraction of their previous earnings.
- In 2025, YouTube implemented stricter guidelines for gambling content, which has led to age restrictions on many poker channels.
- Facing the possibility of reduced visibility and access due to the new YouTube policies, creators like Nick Eastwood are considering moving to alternative platforms like Twitch, Rumble, or niche poker platforms.
