Google has unveiled an upcoming update to its gambling advertising rules in an attempt to improve its health policies. To that end, the tech giant has introduced stricter requirements and harsher penalties for violators.
Google Unveils Updated Rules on Online Gambling Advertising
In its official announcement, Google stated that starting September 14, 2026, Google Ads Gambling and games policy will be updated, in line with certification requirements launched earlier this year.
As a result, all accounts that wish to advertise in the Gambling and games category must first demonstrate “good policy health.” This means that operators with insufficient player protections will no longer be allowed to promote their products via Google.
At the same time, Google noted that Manager Accounts (MCCs) with repeated online gambling certificate revocations or accounts under MCC management that have violated the rules multiple times while using a certificate will no longer be eligible for any new online gambling certificates.
The worst offenders will even risk having existing certifications revoked.
Google Clarified That Some Companies Will Be Ineligible for Certification
Google emphasized that websites hosted on free subdomains remain ineligible to promote online gambling on Google. It also clarified that domains that are not strictly related to gambling are also ineligible for online gambling certification.
Eligible domains, on the other hand, must be directly owned and controlled by the gambling business doing the promotion.
Google clarified that the Certification section of its Gambling and games policy will be updated accordingly when the new requirements take effect on September 14, 2026.
Google’s new gambling advertising requirements come a month after the tech giant banned prediction market ads in Ohio due to continued disputes concerning the legality of event contracts.