Google Blocks Offline Gambling Ads in Seven African Countries
Google has tightened its rules on offline gambling advertising, extending its restrictions to seven African nations as part of a broader global crackdown. Effective November 19, 2025, the updated policy clarifies what counts as “offline gambling” and where such promotions are prohibited.
According to Google, the update covers “legal physical, real‑world gambling activity or establishments,” citing examples such as “brick-and-mortar casinos, gaming parlors such as pachinko parlors and even the streaming of offline poker tournaments.”
The seven African countries newly affected by the restrictions are Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia. In these locations, any advertising for offline gambling is now strictly prohibited. Google emphasizes that it enforces these rules according to local law, stating that offline gambling promotion “is prohibited in locations where it is illegal to advertise offline gambling.”
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For gambling operators, the update is more than a regulatory footnote. Advertisers promoting real-world venues in the affected countries risk disapproved campaigns, and repeated violations could lead to account suspension. As a result, many companies may shift marketing strategies toward online gambling promotions, social media campaigns, or partnerships that comply with Google’s certification requirements.
Over the past year, Google has expanded its list of jurisdictions where offline gambling ads are banned. At the same time, the company has cautiously allowed advertising in some regulated online gambling markets, showing that the goal is not to restrict all gambling content, but to align advertising with local laws and licensing frameworks.
