YouTube imposes stringent regulations on channels dedicated to poker.
Rewritten Article:
YouTube's New Gambling Policies: A Headache for the Poker Community
As of March 19, YouTube has tightened the screws on content related to gambling, causing quite a stir in the poker community. One of the first to speak out about the issue was 888poker pro Nick Eastwood, who shared not just his own experiences but also those of his fellow pros.
"Poker Content? Impossible!"
Eastwood revealed that his videos were either slapped with age restrictions or vanishing without a trace, all without any clear reasoning. For instance, a joint webinar he did with Daragh O'Kiernan — although it was reinstated after some commotion — got erased for the first time in the history of his channel.
Here's the skinny on YouTube's new rules:
- Any tactic that redirects users to uncertified gaming sites or apps is now forbidden, even verbal mentions. This includes links, logos, images, and more.
- Content that doesn't breach YouTube's Community Guidelines but still flaunts online casinos or apps may receive age restrictions, which means viewers need to log in to view, a significant hit to viewership.
- Three strikes for breaking these rules, and your channel will get permanently binned.
In his video, Eastwood pointed out that these restrictions seem to be pretty arbitrary, causing a significant drop in views and revenue for his channel. As a result, he announced a brief hiatus from YouTube.
Back to Twitch?
Given the circumstances, it's a big twist of fate, isn't it? Many poker streamers left Twitch and jumped ship to YouTube, considering it more poker-friendly. Now, it seems like things are taking a u-turn.
YouTube is a vital platform for promoting poker. Poker videos, analysis, educational materials, and tournament highlights — all have played a huge role in popularizing the game. While this isn't the first time such restrictions have been doled out, the current situation looks particularly grim, especially for content creators who have contracts with licensed rooms but can't even utter a word about them verbally.
Seems like the time for adapting and finding alternative platforms for poker content is here.
(Enrichment Data: YouTube's updated gambling policies, enacted March 19, 2025, impose stricter rules on gambling-related content, including poker. Key restrictions include:- Age restrictions: Content featuring online casino sites/apps (excluding sports betting and in-person gambling) is restricted to users 18+, blocking signed-out viewers entirely.- Link/logo prohibitions: Affiliates cannot use clickable links, logos, or verbal mentions directing users to unapproved gambling sites.- "Guaranteed returns" ban: Content implying gambling success is assured faces removal. These rules prioritize responsible gambling messaging but risk over-enforcement against non-gambling poker content.)
- Eastwood, dismayed by YouTube's new gambling policies, finds the arbitrary age restrictions and disappearance of content without explanation a headache, leading to a drop in views and revenue, causing him to announce a temporary hiatus from YouTube.
- The irony is palpable as YouTube, once considered more poker-friendly than Twitch, seems to be reversing its stance with these new restrictions, potentially pushing poker streamers back towards Twitch.
- With the enactment of these stricter rules on March 19, 2025, YouTube now forbids any tactic that directs users to uncertified gaming sites or apps, including verbal mentions, and may apply age restrictions to content featuring online casinos or apps.
- The repercussions of these restrictions are significant, particularly for content creators with contracts with licensed rooms who can no longer even mention their partners verbally, a drastic shift in the entertainment landscape of poker.
- Amidst these challenges, the poker community is left navigating the social-media landscape in search of alternative platforms to ensure the continued creation and distribution of poker content, from analysis to education and tournament highlights.
