YouTube, which once played a pivotal role in the growth of poker, has begun cracking down on poker streams and videos.
Popular online players like Benjamin “Spraggy,” Bencb, Brad Owen and many other poker YouTubers have directly questioned YouTube regarding the sudden enforcement actions, yet the platform hasn’t offered a clear explanation.
YouTube claims that some streamers may have violated their Terms and Conditions, which led to videos being banned.
YouTube Cracks Down on Poker Content
YouTube has announced a significant tightening of its policies regarding gambling-related content, with new rules coming into effect on March 19, 2025.
These changes aim to protect viewers, particularly minors, from potentially harmful material and to curb the growing presence of gambling content and promotions on the platform.
New YouTube Rules for Gambling Content:-
- No links, logos, images, text, or verbal mentions of unapproved gambling sites or apps are allowed in videos.
- Only Google-certified or YouTube-reviewed gambling sites/apps can be promoted.
- Content promising “guaranteed returns” from gambling is banned, even for approved sites.
- Online casino content (excluding sports betting and in-person gambling) is age-restricted and not viewable by users under 18 or those signed out.
- Violators risk video removal, demonetization, or even channel termination.
According to many poker streamers, these rules are deeply flawed. Poker content is automatically age-restricted due to its association with gambling, which drastically limits video reach and algorithmic recommendations.
Moreover, the first rule—promotion of unapproved gambling sites—is highly ambiguous. Many creators argue that even YouTube itself doesn’t clearly define which sites are “approved.”
Poker Channels Take A Hit
Benjamin “Spraggy” Spragg, a PokerStars ambassador, was banned for a week for allegedly violating policies related to “Regulated Goods.” Ironically, he was playing on PokerStars—a licensed and regulated site.
Spraggy addressed the issue on X (formerly Twitter), tagging YouTube for clarification. YouTube responded, “It looks like you’ve already appealed & received an email outlining the final decision. We know it wasn’t the outcome you were hoping for, but there’s nothing more we can do on our end as these decisions are made very carefully.”
Spraggy isn’t alone. Brad Owen, one of poker’s oldest vlogger with over 750,000 subscribers, has faced similar issues. His videos have been flagged for “profanity and dangerous acts that could result in serious physical injury,” it just featured him playing standard poker hands.
Online pro Bencb, founder of Raise Your Edge, received a community guidelines strike despite streaming content as he always has. He, too, was flagged for promoting “unregulated goods.”
YouTube’s response to him was similarly automated: “There’s nothing more we can do on our side to change the outcome — these decisions are made very thoughtfully & our Community Guidelines exist to make YouTube a safer community for everyone. Thanks again for understanding.”
Even Hustler Casino Live, one of the most-watched live cash game streams, was temporarily banned by YouTube. They briefly moved to Twitch before returning to the platform.
End of an Era?
YouTube was instrumental in growing poker’s global audience. It gave the community access to educational videos, entertaining streams, and iconic moments, all in one place. This recent crackdown, however, seems more like a case of algorithmic overreach than actual violations.
The system used to detect “unregulated goods” appears flawed. If applied consistently, thousands of YouTubers promoting offshore and unregulated gambling platforms would receive strikes daily.
Furthermore, it’s up to the poker sites to decide how they want to represent their platforms. If they can establish communication with YouTube and help clear up these misunderstandings, it would be a huge support to streamers.
Individual streamers don’t have the influence or access to contact higher-ups at YouTube or Google, this responsibility lies with the billion-dollar poker companies that operate regulated platforms.
For now, Twitch appears to be a safer option for poker content creators. Unlike YouTube, Twitch is more supportive of poker streams and doesn’t seem to rely on a flawed, overly aggressive moderation system.
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