Google has updated its advertising policy for social gaming by explicitly prohibiting sweepstakes casinos from advertising under the social casino games category.
Sweepstakes casinos employ dual currency systems, enabling players to wager with sweepstakes coins that can be “redeemed” rather than cashed out, thereby blurring the lines between legal gaming and real-money online casino gambling.
The new policy clarifies that sweepstakes casinos do not qualify for the certification required to advertise on Google, as they offer games with real-world rewards rather than simulated gambling without value. Google requires social casinos to hold licenses and display disclaimers indicating that no real-money prizes are offered, a requirement that sweepstakes sites no longer meet.
