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Jun. 7, 2007 at 9:48am Eastern by Barry Schwartz
Gambling For Fun Adverts Now Disallowed By Google AdWords UK
I reported this morning at the Search Engine Roundtable that UK Google AdWords advertisers are being notified by Google that they can no longer accept ads for any kind of gambling site. That includes gambling sites that are just for fun, have tutorials on gambling and content related to gambling.
In an email, Google said, "We will no longer take ads for sites that promote gambling related content or gambling tutorials or whose primary purpose is 'playing for fun', gambling or casino games of skill." Google added that these new rules are "simpler for everyone to understand and more in tune with users' wishes."
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By Barry Schwartz
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Reader Comments
Thin end of the wedge
Strictly speaking Poker isn't gambling btw.
Private companys should not be in the business of decidning what isn't alowed thast what we have the "state/judges/polticians" for.
What next rap records, political adds, banning PETA because some animal rights activists are criminals
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I can't say that I have any particularly strong feelings about gambling, but I do think that Google's comment the move was "more in tune with users' wishes" is slightly dubious.
In the UK having a flutter on a horse, or football match, is part of the culture. I'm not saying it's a good or a bad thing, it just is. But as the previous commenter says, it's their company - they can do what they want with it. They probably shouldn't ascribe American cultural standards to other nations when justifying it though..
I believe the correct response would be to quote an American Icon “Woo – Who!” I don’t offer that from a stand point of gambling is bad as I can think of many things far worse than games of chance.
I offer the quote from an organic SEO’s perspective. These companies with the deep pockets are now left with only organic listings if they want their sites to be found in the search engines. I know it is spelled Woo – Who but it is pronounced K-A-C-H-I-N-G.
Thanks Google as I will gladly take the money that the gambling marketing departments waste on PPC and filter that into my pockets.
Lester w00t indeed
We had a bingo company In the other day now if only my cousins family was still in the betting business.
Note also the Premium Bonds are strictly speaking betting and the Uk Govenment uses PPC on terms like "Premium Bonds "
So going to ban the NS&I's addsense acounts are we Guys?
Ads for the National Lottery also seem to be working fine.
Good for them - gambling is such a waste for anyone but the one taking the bets. I'm sure there will be much griping about google telling people what to do, but they are not the Internet and can do whatever they want. Heck, they're a public company, so maybe they can by some shares ;) and vote for a change.