On October 28, 2025, Google updated its advertising policy for Gambling and Betting, where it stated: "Examples of games that are not social casino games: Casinos with raffles."
In its official clarification, Google added: "Games that offer real money rewards are subject to the same limitations and permissions as the online gambling policy."
This review eliminates the option for casinos with a raffle model, including those that use dual currency systems such as Gold Coins to play and Sweeps Coins redeemable for prizes, to advertise under Google's, less strict social casino certification.
These products will now be governed by the strictest regulations on online gambling, which requires operator licenses, country-specific certifications and responsible gaming messages.
For the North American public, where raffles are considered an activity in an ambiguous legal area, the reclassification will probably disable them from advertising on Google Ads, unless they obtain full licenses for gambling.
Affiliates and media partners who promote these products must now meet the same advertising standards as licensed gambling operators or risk their account being suspended.
Google adopts mandatory age-blocking
Two days later, on October 30, 2025, Google announced the launch of a new age-restricted content and functionality policy on Play Console, which introduces stricter child protection measures for Android developers.
The policy notice states: "You will have at least 30 days from October 30, 2025 to update your application and adapt it to the changes of the new policy."
In addition, he adds: "To help protect children, the new policy requires that applications with features that include pairing, dating or games/contests/bets with real money use the Play Console features to block minors."
Developers have until the end of November to integrate Google's age control tools, before their full implementation on January 28, 2026. Applications that do not comply with the regulations run the risk of being removed or suspended from Google Play.
Greater control of gambling content
Together, these measures represent an update of Google's strict stance on game content. Sweepstakes operators lose their previous "free game" advertising strategy, while application developers must demonstrate compliance with child protection rules at the platform level.
Industry analysts consider these two updates to be part of a broader global harmonization: Google's advertising and distribution divisions now operate under parallel rules that reflect local licensing, responsible gaming and age verification standards.
Dingnews.com 05/11/2025