Learn more on what our policies are for ads with content related to gambling and gaming products.
Continue reading to learn:
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Can my ad promote gambling and gaming products or services?
This depends on the type of product or service and the ad you’ll be promoting. We classify ads into three categories:
Permitted: These ads may run without additional approval.
Restricted: These ads may run but only with additional review and approval. See below for specific requirements for gambling ads that are restricted but not prohibited.
Prohibited: These ads are not allowed on our platform.
Ad Topic | Description | Permitted | Restricted | Prohibited
|
Gambling related goods | Ads that promote products associated with gambling or casino-style games, such as poker sets, dice, game boards, or other related accessories. | x |
|
|
Gambling addiction PSA | Awareness ads that direct individuals to support services and recovery resources for gambling addiction. | x |
|
|
Social casino games | Ads for online games that simulate gambling or casino-style experiences without offering real-money or cash-equivalent payouts. While users can’t wager anything of actual value, they may have the option to buy in-game items or upgrades (e.g., virtual chips, skins, or features). |
| x |
|
Free-to-play games
| Ads for online games that are free to download or play and do not simulate gambling or offer the chance to win anything of monetary value. Users may have the option to purchase in-game items or enhancements using real money or in-game currency. |
| x |
|
Sweepstakes and contest
| Sweepstake ads: Ads for promotions where winners are selected by chance, and no purchase or entry fee is required to participate.
Contest ads: Ads for promotions where winners are determined based on skill, merit, or a specific criteria (e.g., best photo, essay, or score), rather than by chance. No purchase is required to enter. |
| x |
|
Gambling and Related Services | Ads that promote any gambling product or service, including lotteries, games of skill, and games of chance, where money or anything of monetary value is exchanged or at stake, are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, ads related to:
|
|
| x |
How do I promote my ads in the “Restricted” category?
If your ad falls under the “Restricted” category (e.g., social casino games, sweepstakes & contests, and free-to-play games), you must follow the rules below AND obtain pre-approval via email.
To request approval, email Ads Manager Support (adsmanagersupport@roku.com) with the following information:
Business name
Business website
Sample video creative and landing page (if applicable)
Proof of applicable permits that support the products or services to be advertised
Targeting Rules:
Demographic: you must target your ads to adults 18+. More on demographic targeting here.
Location: you must target states in which your product or service is licensed to operate. You may not run national campaigns if your product is not available in all 50 states. You may not run ads in states where your product or service has not been approved. More on location targeting here.
Custom Audience: you may use customer lists and events-based audiences. More on custom audiences here.
Creative Rules:
Their games, ads, and landing page (sites and apps) must not contain or link to any destination offering gambling or games where money or other items of value are paid or wagered in exchange for the opportunity to win real money or prizes based on the outcome of the game. This includes gambling-related advertisements that appear on their games site or app.
They do not appeal to, or target, minors under 18.
Disclaimers for Social Casinos are strongly encouraged to:
Disclose that success at their simulated casino games does not imply success in real life
Disclose whether the game has in-app purchases
Disclose that the service is intended for those 18 and older
Disclose that the service is for amusement only.
Action Ads (more here) are not permitted in any restricted categories. You may only use standard video ads.
NOTE: Roku has the right to reject any/all ads at our sole discretion.
Local laws and guidelines
Gambling ads must comply with all applicable local laws and regulations, required or established industry codes, guidelines, licenses, and approvals. As gambling laws vary by location, advertisers need to make sure they comply with any applicable targeting, placement, dayparting requirements, and creative rules.
Ad submission and content
When you upload your ad creative to Ads Manager, the content will be manually reviewed over 2-3 business days for compliance with our ad policies and requirements, including Roku's Advertising Guidelines.