YouTube drastically tightened its gambling content guidelines in 2025 – with far-reaching consequences for poker content creators worldwide. What initially seemed like a protective measure for young people now threatens the existence of many poker YouTubers who have produced serious and educational content for years. The new gambling rules have a profound impact on monetization, visibility, and reach, thus changing the foundation on which many poker channels are built.
Since March 2025, YouTube has treated all videos related to gambling or poker as "sensitive content." This means they are automatically restricted to those over 18. Even videos without ads or provider information are rarely recommended and disappear from search suggestions. For many YouTubers, this is a massive blow, as the majority of their views come not from regular viewers, but from recommendations by the algorithm.
“All online poker content is cooked with new YouTube policy,” complained an internationally known streamer in a much-quoted post.
The platform even goes so far as to review old videos and retroactively restrict or delete them. It doesn't matter whether the content is educational or purely strategic—poker is generally considered a game of chance. Many channels that had built up a loyal, adult audience over the years are now losing their reach and thus their main source of income.
Gambling rules on YouTube hit the poker community hard
Under the new rules, creators are prohibited from mentioning logos, links, or sponsors associated with online casinos or betting providers—even if they are licensed brands. Educational formats that offer strategies, tournament analysis, or live commentary will be subject to the same restrictions as pure gambling advertising. Numerous poker YouTubers report that YouTube does not provide them with clear explanations as to why their content is being restricted or demonetized.
This is causing growing frustration in the German scene. Even channels that focus exclusively on theory and probabilities are losing their monetization. Reach is plummeting by up to 80% because videos are only shown to a small circle of registered adults. The resulting losses are threatening many livelihoods.
Another point of criticism: The guidelines are inconsistent. While some videos with the same content remain online, others are removed without warning. YouTube cites "automated review mechanisms" that are prone to errors and do not allow for individual exceptions.
“YouTube removed six of my poker tutorials completely out of the blue, and with no explanation,” reported a US creator whose channel has over 200.000 subscribers.
The situation is further exacerbated by the fact that YouTube doesn't offer any way to differentiate poker from other forms of gambling. This categorizes poker as a game of chance—despite its high strategic importance.
How new gambling rules put poker YouTubers at risk
The consequences of this policy are clearly noticeable. Many poker YouTubers are fighting to maintain their financial standing as advertising revenue, partnerships, and sponsorship deals disappear. Without monetization, even large channels lose their motivation to publish content regularly. Some producers are already turning to alternative platforms like Twitch or TikTok, while others are considering their own websites and subscription systems.
But even there, the hurdles are high. Twitch has also tightened its rules for gambling streams in recent years, so only a few providers are still permitted. Poker content thus finds itself in a regulatory no-man's-land: too harmless to be treated as dangerous gambling, but too close to the industry to be fully accepted.
In addition, political developments in the UK and the EU are putting additional pressure on platforms. The revised Gambling Act in the UK stipulates strict transparency requirements and advertising restrictions. YouTube has tightened its policies in response to these changes to avoid fines and legal risks. The result, however, is excessive restrictions that also affect reputable educational channels.
For many poker YouTubers, it's clear: the platform has let its own community down. Educational poker content is disappearing, while visibility is declining and creators' trust is dwindling. Whether YouTube will clarify or differentiate its rules in the future remains to be seen. Until then, the survival of many poker channels is more than uncertain – and an entire branch of the online entertainment world is facing extinction.
