The updated rules come into effect on November 17th 2025 and expand existing restrictions on gambling-linked content.
According to the announcement, YouTube will now act against videos that direct viewers to online gambling involving items with monetary value — including digital goods such as in-game skins, cosmetics and NFTs.
This development is likely to be closely watched by creators and esports organisations active in CS2, where the skin trading and betting ecosystem has historically driven both audience interest and controversy.
While skin betting sites are not officially part of the esports tournament ecosystem, content around case openings, skin gambling and referral links attracts significant viewership across YouTube and are deeply intertwined with the game’s scenes and players.