YouTube’s new regulation strictly controls the content of auctions and violence, and includes NFT and game skin trade in lottery regulations

YouTube announced the revision of community guidelines to improve the control over the content of games and video games, which is intended to improve the protection mechanisms for vulnerable audiences. From 17 November, the platform will introduce stricter measures in line with mature content regulation trends.

Within the framework of the new regulations, YouTube will impose a more mandatory contract on the content of the lottery, prohibiting the creator from linking to a gaming platform or application not certified by Google. For the first time, the scope of regulation was extended to gambling involving real-life digital assets, including game skin, virtual props and NFT (non-homogenic currency). The long-standing “skin gambling” in games such as Anti-Terrorism Elite 2 was explicitly targeted. At the same time, social casino games that do not provide cash compensation, but which simulate gambling mechanisms, will face more rigorous scrutiny, with simultaneous implementation of the age limit for writing about the content of human violence games (especially when they continue to appear or form the core elements of the video), which will be restricted to users over 18 years of age.

The creators who are not associated with the game of gambling or violent games are expected to be less affected, but video writers who focus on competitive games, boxing mechanisms, NFT awards or digital asset pledges face uncertainty. The new regulations will be traced back, and videos uploaded before 17 November may also be mounted or set age limits. YouTube provides the creators with editing tools such as video clips, local fuzzy, etc. The disposal notice will be sent through the system, and the creator may file a complaint but must prove that the content does not violate the newly defined lottery standards. This has particularly affected the Anti-Terrorism Elite 2 community. Players often trade high-value weapons skins, through which some third-party platforms allow users to invest in electric competitions or wheel-board games, giving a digital currency attribute to seemingly harmless virtual appearances. YouTube’s policy is the same as that of Twitch’s 2023 ban on skin gambling, although the latter has not been consistent at the implementation level.

According to the new guide, anything that depicts or promotes a numeral object of real value is considered a lottery, including a link leading to a third party, NFT, or a skin-trading platform for games. Games with open economic systems, trade in goods or markets are more risky because their assets may be regarded as having monetary value. Videos showing trophies, pledge awards or random mechanisms may be marked even if the block-chain game does not directly promote lottery. The new regulations do not fully prohibit block-chain games or Web 3 content, but due to the blurring of the line between lottery and regular play in the Web 3 game, the design of tokenization incentives, NFTs or random reward creators need to be careful. The uncertainty as to whether the algorithm will be used or manually reviewed has not yet been determined by YouTube, leaving a grey area for Web 3 creators. YouTube indicated that most creators were limited in their impact, but suggested that the creators involved in the content should self-check the adjustment before the effective date. The Platform confirmed that there would be no direct penalties for non-compliance with the new regulations, but that there might be an age limit or a lower shelf.

The Platform recommends that creators avoid the risk by avoiding the use of lottery-related terminology in their titles and labels, weakening the monetary value of incentives to emphasize play itself, and using editorial tools to remove sensitive clips. This update reflects the trend of the global platform to strengthen regulation of “digital assets + random mechanisms + value systems”. Youtube says, “Our policy always follows digital ecology. The purpose of this update is to guarantee a safe environment for users while preserving the creative freedom of the creator community. ” Through the series of reforms, YouTube seeks to remove unregulated gaming content from the platform in order to respond to evolving regulatory requirements. This update highlights both the regulatory complexity of the integration of games and games and the clear commitment of the platform to protect users from the risks associated with digital assets, electric games and NFTs.