Stricter regulations imposed by Meta on gambling advertisements across Facebook and Instagram platforms.
Meta Cracks Down on Gambling Advertisements on Facebook and Instagram
As of July 10, 2025, Meta Platforms (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) has implemented stricter regulations for online betting advertisements on its platforms. The new standards aim to regulate ads run by black market and offshore operators, ensuring a safer environment for users.
The updated regulations require that all gambling-related promotions must receive prior approval from Meta before running. This approval process is mandatory for all advertisers, regardless of their location. In addition, Meta has published a specific list of countries where gambling ads are restricted or prohibited, effectively creating "no-go zones" for such advertising on its platforms.
To control the promotion of gambling activities responsibly, Meta's online gambling and games policy enforces these rules. Advertisers must submit their gambling ads for review and conform to the restrictions by geography and platform guidelines. The aim is to reduce harmful or misleading content and protect underage users from being targeted.
The new guidelines apply to all forms of real-money wagering, including iGaming, poker, sports betting, and sweepstakes. However, social casinos and free-to-play games remain exempt from these new regulations.
Advertisers can request authorization for their ad account IDs through the Authorizations and Verifications tab in Meta Business Suite to run ads promoting online gambling or games on Meta's platforms. In some cases, advertisers may be required to show state gaming licenses and prove compliance in the jurisdictions where ads will run.
It is worth noting that Meta's stricter standards on betting ads are significant due to Facebook and Instagram being two of the largest destinations for online advertising, controlling nearly 90% of the global internet advertising market outside of China. Meanwhile, Meta's popular messaging service, WhatsApp, was not mentioned in connection with the new rules for betting ads.
For instance, if an operator like DraftKings or FanDuel wants to run ads targeting bettors in Ohio, they would need to prove to Meta that their licenses are valid in that state and that they're in compliance with Ohio's regulations. Land-based casinos, prize promotions requiring a purchase, and state lotteries are exempt from Meta's new protocols for online gambling and games.
These measures reflect Metaβs continuing efforts to regulate gambling advertising strictly on Facebook and Instagram, specifying what is allowed and where. The new standards aim to provide a safer and more responsible online environment for users while maintaining the integrity of the advertising ecosystem on Meta's platforms.
- The new standards imposed by Meta seek to regulate sports betting, iGaming, and other real-money wagering activities, including poker and sweepstakes, in advertisements on Facebook and Instagram.
- With the updated regulations, Meta strives to create a safer online environment for users, particularly by controlling ads run by black-market and offshore operators.
- All gambling-related promotions on Meta's platforms must receive prior approval, a mandatory process for all advertisers, regardless of their location.
- The new guidelines apply to advertisements on Facebook and Instagram, however, social casinos and free-to-play games remain exempt from these stricter regulations.
- Advertisers must submit their gambling ads for review and conform to geography and platform guidelines to abide by Meta's online gambling and games policy.
- The stricter standards set by Meta are significant due to the platforms' control over nearly 90% of the global internet advertising market outside of China, except for Meta's messaging service, WhatsApp, which is not connected to the new rules for betting ads.
