Google Ads Tightens Gambling Certification Requirements

Google Ads has updated its Gambling and Games Policy to expand certification requirements for all categories under this policy. The update, which went into effect on September 14, 2026, requires manager accounts (MCCs) with repeated online gambling certificate revocations or accounts under MCC management that have repeatedly flagged for gambling violations while using a certificate to forfeit eligibility for new certifications.

The technology company also reemphasized the domain requirements already in place for certification. Websites hosted on free subdomains are ineligible, and the domain must be directly owned and controlled by the business. Domains unrelated to gambling are also ineligible for certification.

To demonstrate good policy health, certified accounts must regularly review ad and keyword statuses, monitor ad quality score, check the policy manager to ensure ads are compliant, and follow editorial standards of clear, professional ads that go to functional, easy-to-navigate destinations with unique user value.