The Indian Gambling and Casino industry is estimated to be worth US$90 billion per year, of which about half is illegally bet. Casinos and gaming institutions have taken advantage of marketing for years, and have recently begun to leverage digital advertising opportunities as well.
Google is aware of the gaming industry’s earning power and has made it easier for casinos, fantasy sports and gaming companies to advertise on Google Ads. There has been a bit of controversy surrounding gambling ads in the past, and casino marketing remains a tricky subject. Therefore, it is essential that you are aware of all the requirements that come with advertising gambling with Google. To successfully cash in on Google Ads for gambling, follow along with this guide.
4 Basic Requirements for all Casino, Fantasy Sports and Gambling Advertisements on Google
For every type of gambling, fantasy sports and casino game, there are certain restrictions that you must abide by to be able to advertise with Google. However, four main policies apply to all types of Google gambling advertisements.
- Advertisers Must Have the Proper Google Ads Certification: A Google Ad certification is a minimum requirement to be able to advertise with Google. The certification verifies to Google that you are an online advertising expert and, therefore, understand how to advertise on their platforms properly. You can find more information about the Google Ads certification application process on the Google Support website.
- Gambling Ads Must Target Approved Countries: For your Ads to be approved by Google, they must only be catered to an audience from the sanctioned countries. Google posted the full list of countries and their local regulations for gambling and casino-related ads on their support page.
- Advertisers Must Have a Landing Page that Displays Information About Responsible Gambling: Advertisers must be careful to never include minors in their gambling and casino ad targeting; this includes anyone under the age of 21. Warnings must be posted about the dangers of addictive and compulsive gambling as well as information on how to get help. Not abiding by Google Ad requirements can have serious repercussions. Advertisers that violate Google’s advertising policies “will be restricted from any operation in the United States,” including any advertisements using Google platforms.
- Gambling and Casino Game Ads Allowed by Google: Google is specific on which gambling and casino games are allowed to advertise on Google Ad platforms. The approved list of content includes advertisements for:
- Offline gambling
This includes a promotion for real-money casino games at brick-and-mortar gaming establishments.
- Online Gambling
Advertisements for online gambling allow for the promotion of online casino games that use real money or currencies with cash value. This also permits advertisements that link to content about online gambling such as gambling educational materials or gambling-related information.
- Online non-casino games
These advertisements are for games online that use real money to gamble. These can include online slots, sports betting, and even lottery tickets.
- Social casino games
Advertisements for social casino games promote gambling-like games where there is no opportunity for prizes of monetary value. This type of advertising is different from the rest because there can be no promotion of chances to win real money prizes. This also includes the promotion of gambling destinations where you can earn rewards of cash value.
The Benefits of Google Ads for Casinos and Gambling Campaigns
The restrictions and application process may seem like a tedious task, but with the right ad content and targeting, the payoff can be significant. According to Powertraffick, “90% of internet users see Google display ads worldwide,” which means your ad can be seen by more people. Advanced targeting capabilities mean you can show your ads to your exact target audience, matching viewers by demographic, interests, location and more. The reach of these advertisements makes Google ads an excellent investment.
Overall, if you follow the basic requirements and restrictions, Google Ads can serve as a major marketing tool for your gambling business. It is essential to be informed and look into the exact requirements for the type of gambling and casino promotion you plan to advertise. Google Ads will continue to change the way the gambling and casino industry advertises, so it is important to leverage Google Ads while their policies permit.
Gambling Ads Restrictions With Google Ads in India
| Product | Allowed? | Details |
| Gambling-related content | Google doesn’t allow the following gambling-related content: Location-based or “brick-and-mortar” gambling. | |
| Online non-casino games | Google allows the promotion of Daily Fantasy Sports as long as the advertisement doesn’t promote any other form of online gambling. Daily Fantasy Sports ads may not target the following states: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, and Telangana. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply. | |
| Online casino games | Google doesn’t allow the promotion of any online casino games with the exception of Rummy. Google Ads allows Rummy advertisements to target India as long as the advertisement doesn’t promote any other form of online gambling. Rummy ads may not target the following states: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, and Telangana. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. See how to apply. |
What Happens If You Violate Google Ads Policies
Ad or extension disapproval: Ads and extensions that don’t follow this policy may be disapproved. A disapproved ad won’t run until the policy violation is fixed and the ad is eligible.
Account suspension: An account may be suspended if you have several violations or a serious violation. If this happens, all ads in the suspended account will stop running, and we may no longer accept advertising from you. Any related accounts may also be permanently suspended and your new accounts may be automatically suspended at setup. Learn more about suspended accounts.
To ensure a safe and positive experience for users, Google requires that advertisers comply with all applicable laws and regulations in addition to the Google Ads policies. It’s important to familiarize yourself with and keep up to date on these requirements for the places where your business operates, as well as any other places your ads are showing. When we find content that violates these requirements, we may block it from appearing, and in cases of repeated or serious violations, you may no longer be able to advertise with Google.
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