YouTube has announced that it will strengthen enforcement of its community guidelines on violent gaming and online gambling content, starting on 17 November. The platform’s updated policy introduces new age restrictions for gaming videos that depict realistic human characters in scenes involving torture or mass violence against non-combatants.
According to YouTube, reviewers will assess such videos based on the duration and prominence of the violent scenes. In the case of compilation videos, the cumulative length of these scenes will also be considered. Videos that fall under the new classification will be placed behind an age restriction, making them inaccessible to users under 18 or to those who are not signed in to their Google accounts.
While the company has not specified an exact time limit for what constitutes “too long” or “too graphic,” that “certain content may be age-restricted if it’s non-fleeting or zoomed in.” Creators can avoid these restrictions by editing their videos to blur any violent scenes before upload.
Stricter rules for gambling and digital items
Alongside its updates on violence-related content, YouTube is introducing more rigorous rules on gambling-related content. The platform already prohibits creators from linking viewers to unlicensed online gambling websites or apps not certified by Google.
From 17 November, this policy will expand to include gambling content that involves items of monetary value, such as digital goods, NFTs, and game skins. Even online casino-style games that do not use real money will face new age restrictions to prevent exposure among underage users.
These changes aim to provide more precise boundaries for creators and ensure the platform maintains a safer environment for its viewers. YouTube has previously come under scrutiny for the accessibility of gambling-related content, especially among younger audiences.
Impact on creators and existing videos
To prepare for the new policies, YouTube has confirmed it will review existing videos that may violate the updated guidelines. Older uploads found to be non-compliant will either be removed or placed behind age restrictions. However, creators will not receive strikes for videos published before 17 November.
The company is giving creators the option to edit their existing content before enforcement begins. Tools such as YouTube’s built-in trim and blur features can be used to modify scenes that may breach the new standards.
The move reflects YouTube’s continuing effort to balance creative freedom with responsible content moderation. By tightening its enforcement around violent and gambling-related videos, the platform hopes to make its service safer and more consistent across different types of content.
