YouTube lets gambling operators buy Masthead ads
Google is opening YouTube's Masthead to licensed online gambling operators from 21 October 2026.
What the Masthead is
The Masthead is YouTube's headline ad placement at the top of the home feed. It changes shape across desktop, mobile and TV, and its video ads usually play muted.
- Starts 21 October 2026.
- Google's gambling advertising policy still applies.
- Each targeted country requires a licence or certification.
Strict entry rules
Advertisers must follow Google's gambling policy and hold a licence or certification in every territory they target. Unlicensed operators cannot use the placement.
Context
The update comes as campaigns against gambling ads grow in the UK, Australia and the US, and as Meta faces criticism – including from the UK Gambling Commission – over illegal advertising. Read about Paf's pilot with Meta.
Our advice
An ad tells you nothing about the wagering terms. Compare offers first – see our pages on free spins with no deposit and no wagering bonuses.
Source: SBC News, 9 October 2026. This article is based on publicly reported news; our editors summarised and rewrote it for Ottawa readers.