FACEBOOK’S ONLINE GAMBLING POLICY CHANGES

Friday August 26,2011 :  Land and online gambling can now be advertised on Facebook…but there are conditions
 
The internet social networking giant Facebook has announced policy changes for its Ad Guidelines, and among them is a new directive that permits online and offline gambling advertising, providing that the material is targeted outside of the United States and has Facebook’s explicit consent.
 
The changes embrace a wider range of industries, giving these the opportunity to attract customers through Facebook’s highly targetable ads, and clearly will generate more advertising revenue for the booming social network.
 
The new ads policy follows moves in which Facebook recently relaxed some of its promotional guidelines too, easing the prohibitions on contests, sweepstakes and other gambling verticals.
 
The changes to ad guidelines for gambling include:
 
Facebook's previous policy of allowing online gambling ads subject to specific permission has been modified to clarify that such advertisements must be targeted outside the United States in addition to obtaining the site’s consent.
 
Ads that promote or facilitate online gambling, games of skill or lotteries, including online casino, sports books, bingo, or poker, are only allowed in specific countries, and only with the specific prior authorisation of Facebook.
 
Lottery commissions licensed or sponsored by government entities may advertise on Facebook; provided that ads must be targeted in accordance with applicable law in the jurisdiction in which the ads will be served, and may only target users in the jurisdiction in which the lottery is available.
 
Ads that promote land gambling establishments, such as casinos, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, are generally permitted without prior Facebook approval, provided that the material is appropriately targeted. But land casino advertisements must be targeted on 18 year-olds and upwards, and within countries where gambling is permitted.
 
Gambling ads may only be purchased through a direct sales partnership with Facebook, which requires a monthly minimum spend of $30,000, and may not be purchased through the self-serve ads tool or the Facebook Ads API.
 
Unofficial lotteries are regulated by similar guidelines to online gambling requirements, although government authorised or sponsored lottery advertisements are governed by separate guidelines. As long as these comply with local laws, including provisions on age limits, such advertisements may be published without explicit consent from Facebook.