On April 14, 2025, Google is set to implement a comprehensive update to its Gambling and Games advertising policy. This update is designed to introduce more stringent controls and clearer definitions within the advertising guidelines, particularly targeting the clarity for advertisers and aligning with country-specific laws.
Key Changes in Policy Guidelines
The revision will bring about significant changes, particularly affecting how gambling content is presented and regulated. Websites that lead users to gambling services or online gambling platforms will now be categorized distinctly as ‘promoting gambling’. This classification aims to regulate affiliate and aggregator sites more strictly, demanding they stick to purely informational content unless they adhere to new rigorous standards.
Country-Specific Regulations and Certifications
Google’s policy update will also enforce stricter country-specific regulations, detailing where gambling advertising is permitted and where it is explicitly banned, with countries like Bulgaria, China, and Egypt on the restricted list. Furthermore, the policy will clarify the certifications required for social casino games, distinguishing them from real-money gambling offerings.
Enforcement and Compliance
The upcoming changes emphasize compliance, with Google requiring all gambling advertisers to keep their licenses and registrations current and reported. Notable focus areas include the promotion of games like Mahjong in the Asia-Pacific region, which will face direct restrictions under the new policy.
Specifics on Social Casino Games and Traditional Gambling
The new guidelines will separate ‘social casino games’ from traditional gambling activities, applying specific rules to each category. Advertisers will need separate certifications to promote social casino games, ensuring they do not cross the boundaries into real-money gambling spaces.
Operational Impact and Preparations
As the implementation date nears, advertisers are advised to review their advertising strategies and prepare for compliance with the new guidelines. Google’s updated policy reflects a shift towards more responsible advertising practices, demanding higher accountability and stricter adherence to legal standards.
The policy revision marks a significant shift in how gambling advertising is managed on Google’s platforms, introducing a layered approach to compliance and enforcement. Advertisers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the changes to ensure seamless transitions and continued effectiveness in their advertising campaigns.
A new chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of digital gambling practices unfolds as Apple and Google are implicated in a lawsuit filed in the District Court of New Jersey. The two tech giants are accused of profiting from and promoting illegal gambling operations through their app distribution platforms, introducing a significant legal challenge against their operations.
Details of the Allegations in New Jersey
The lawsuit focuses on the alleged role of Apple and Google in facilitating access to sweepstakes casino games via their app stores. The legal complaint names both corporations, along with their respective payment systems, for supporting illegal gambling activities through partnerships with four sweepstakes casino operators: High 5 Casino, Wow Vegas, Crowncoins Casino, and McLuck.com. These allegations are part of a broader legal effort paralleling several class actions aimed at recovering money spent by consumers on these platforms.
According to the complaint, the accused platforms engage in distributing “patently illegal gambling software” across New Jersey, enticing players with in-game currency that includes “Game Coins” and “Sweeps Coins,” the latter purportedly redeemable for real cash and prizes. The lawsuit criticizes the platforms for rarely executing payouts and frequently withholding them under dubious pretexts.
The Role of the RICO Act
In a significant legal maneuver, the plaintiff, Julian Bargo, who claims to have suffered losses exceeding $1,000, has invoked the federal RICO Act. This move frames the activities of Apple and Google as part of an ongoing criminal enterprise, intensifying the legal stakes.
Broader Implications and Industry Impact
Historically, lawsuits have targeted individual gambling operators rather than the technological conduits like Apple and Google. However, this lawsuit underscores the tech giants’ role in processing financial transactions and profiting from these gambling activities. Furthermore, the case brings attention to legislative attempts to regulate such operations more tightly, notably through the “Model Internet Gaming Act” proposed by the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States. This act aims to provide a structured legal framework for managing or potentially prohibiting these types of gambling activities, with stringent penalties for violations.
Economic Impact on the Gambling Industry
The lucrative nature of the gambling industry is highlighted by the success of Australia-based Virtual Gaming Worlds, owner of platforms such as Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots, and Global Poker. In 2023, this company alone reported revenues reaching $4 billion, with net earnings of $322 million, funding extensive marketing campaigns, including celebrity endorsements and sponsorships. This lawsuit against Apple and Google illustrates the complex interplay between technology, legality, and the high stakes of the online gambling market.