Update to Gambling and Games Policy: Certification Eligibility update (January 2026)

 

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On March 23, 2026, the Google Ads Gambling and games policy will be updated to introduce new certification requirements. All accounts seeking to advertise in any gambling and games category must now demonstrate good policy health as set out below.

Manager Accounts (MCCs) with repeated online gambling certificate revocations, or accounts under MCC management that are repeatedly flagged for gambling violations while using a certificate, will forfeit eligibility to apply for any new online gambling certificates and may have existing certifications revoked.

The following domain requirements, which already exist on the application for certification, are being reiterated for emphasis:

• Websites hosted on free subdomains are ineligible.
• The domain must be directly owned and controlled by the business.

Standalone Ineligibility: Domains unrelated to gambling are ineligible for certification.

The 'Certification' section of the Gambling and games policy will be updated when these requirements take effect on March 23, 2026.

(Posted January 2026)