YouTube will allow gambling ads in its Masthead slot
Licensed online gambling operators can run YouTube Masthead campaigns from 21 October 2026, following a change to Google's ad policy.
About the Masthead
The Masthead sits at the top of YouTube's home feed and is the platform's most eye-catching ad unit. It looks different on desktop, phones and TVs, and its videos usually autoplay without sound.
- Available from 21 October 2026.
- Google's gambling ad rules continue to apply.
- Operators need a licence or certification for every country targeted.
The conditions
Only operators that comply with Google's gambling policy and hold a licence or certification in each targeted territory can buy the Masthead. Unlicensed sites are shut out.
Background
The change arrives amid growing campaigns against gambling advertising in the UK, Australia and the US, and criticism of Meta – including from the UK Gambling Commission – over illegal ads. Read our report on Paf's pilot with Meta.
Our advice
Don't choose a casino from an ad alone. Compare the terms first, starting with no wagering bonuses and our casino bonus codes page.
Source: SBC News, 9 October 2026. This article is based on publicly reported news; our editors summarised and rewrote it for Toronto readers.