Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Google Updates Gambling Policy to Restrict Sweepstake Casino Ads
**Google Ads** has updated its **Gambling and Games policy** to explicitly exclude **sweepstake casinos** from being classified as social casino games. This update, effective October 28, 2025, prohibits sweepstake casinos from advertising on the Google Ads platform. The change clarifies that such games fall under stricter **online gambling restrictions**. No other alterations were made to the existing policy.
Optimixed’s Overview: Key Changes in Google Ads Policy Impacting Sweepstake Casinos
New Policy Clarification on Sweepstake Casinos
On October 28, 2025, Google introduced a precise update to its Gambling and Games policy, specifically addressing the classification of sweepstake casinos. These are now officially recognized as not qualifying under the social casino games category.
Implications for Advertisers
- Sweepstake casinos are now ineligible for certification under the social casino games policy.
- They are prohibited from using Google Ads to promote their services.
- Games offering real-world rewards, such as sweepstake casinos, must comply with stricter online gambling regulations.
Policy Scope and Enforcement
This update serves to clearly delineate the boundary between social casino games and gambling-related content, ensuring compliance with relevant legal and advertising standards. Besides this clarification, no other changes were made to the Gambling and Games policy document.
