Exclusive: Google to lift US ban on online casino advertising

Online search giant Google is planning to unblock online casino adverts in the US gambling market by Q1 2020, EGR Intel has learned.

Online casino ads are currently barred in America by Google, although it allows online sports betting ads in New Jersey, Nevada and West Virginia, alongside advertising for state-run lottery.

EGR understands a similar relaxation of Googles rules around online casino ads will happen early next year, as the firm looks to take advantage of the growing US gaming market.

Google also expanded its gambling and games policy on Tuesday this week to allow sports betting ads in the US states of Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.

Google also recently updated its advertising policy for sports betting in several US states

The changes are scheduled to go live from 22 October, although these could be subject to delays depending on the punctuality of state regulators.

Licensed US operators in those states will be permitted to engage in promotional activity via Google Ads, Google Display Network, YouTube and AdMob, but not through Google Ad Manager.

The search engine’s October policy update also permitted licensed operators in Colombia, Kenya and Nigeria to run online gambling ads.

Read the industry’s reaction to Google’s decision here.