YouTube Cracking Down on Poker Content: Potential Shutdown for Content Producers?
In a recent update on March 19, 2025, YouTube implemented a revised guideline for gambling content, causing concern among professional poker players and content creators.
Nick Eastwood, a well-known poker player and actor, has been one of the most affected by these changes. Eastwood, who has built a YouTube channel with around 20,000 subscribers over four years, has reported earning only 2 GBP for a recent video, a significant drop from his previous earnings. This is due to almost all of his age-restricted videos being classified as not suitable for advertising.
Eastwood, who strategically uses social media to engage with his audience, hosts coaching sessions, and supports smaller channels through collaborations, has largely avoided sponsors to maintain an independent voice in the poker community. However, the new policy prohibits any form of linking to uncertified gambling sites, including logos, embedded links, or verbal mentions.
The new policy states that content containing online casino advertising can only be viewed by registered users over 18 years old. This has posed a challenge for creators like Weazel, who have reported massive reach losses, with as few as 150 views instead of 1,000 to 2,000, despite voluntarily labeling their content as 18+.
Brad Owen, another affected creator, reported that over 30 of his videos had been restricted, despite only 0.4% of his viewers being under 18. The new policy does not provide transparency about which content might lead to sanctions, leading to frustration among creators.
The World Series of Poker, the most significant event of the year, is approaching, and many creators fear a major reach disaster due to the new YouTube policy. Some creators are already considering alternatives.
Violations of the new policy may result in channel suspensions. Two technically identical streams were treated differently by YouTube, with one receiving an age restriction and the other not, adding to the confusion.
Appeals against the removal of ad revenue or age restrictions on content have sometimes been successful, but no clear pattern has emerged yet. Eastwood, like other affected creators, continues to navigate the changes, hoping for a resolution that maintains the integrity of the poker community on YouTube.
