Take control of gambling ads on the platforms you use.
Find step-by-step instructions to reduce gambling advertising across streaming services and social media.
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Gambling advertising controls by platform
Current status
YouTube allows signed-in users to limit gambling advertisements through Google's My Ad Center sensitive topic controls.
What this means for you
Google treats Gambling as one of its dedicated Sensitive topics, and you can set it to "Limited by you". Google then attempts to limit advertising from that category, which is a stronger control than a preference to see fewer ads about a topic. It is not a full block: only signed-in activity is covered, ads on unrelated topics that mention gambling (for example a sports ad referencing odds) may still appear, and your own search activity can still surface gambling ads.
Time required
Approximately 30 seconds
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Sign in to your Google account.
Open My Ad Center - 2
Open Google My Ad Center — Customize.
- 3
Open the Sensitive tab.
- 4
Find Gambling and toggle it off (shows 'Limited by you'). Preferences save automatically.
Why this service received this rating
Google provides a dedicated sensitive-topic control for Gambling. When limited, Google attempts to restrict gambling ads and documents specific circumstances in which related ads may still appear.
Current status
Reddit lets logged-in users limit Gambling under Sensitive Advertising Categories.
What this means for you
Reddit’s Gambling limit is intended as more than a preference to see fewer ads. When you limit Gambling, Reddit says it will do its best not to show you ads in that category while you’re logged in. This is a best-effort restriction rather than a guarantee that no gambling ads will ever appear.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
On iOS or Android: open your profile page and tap the menu near the top-right.
- 2
Tap Settings.
- 3
Select your username under Account Settings.
- 4
Scroll to Sensitive Advertising Categories.
- 5
Select Gambling and enable the limit.
- 6
On reddit.com: open Settings → Preferences, find Sensitive advertising categories and limit Gambling.
Open Reddit settings
Important information
- You must be logged in for this setting to apply.
- Reddit describes this as a best-effort reduction, not a guaranteed block.
- Reddit’s separate ad-personalisation controls are not the same as the Gambling sensitive-category setting.
- Reddit Premium may provide broader ad-free browsing, but the free gambling-specific control is the main recommendation here.
Why this service received this rating
Reddit explicitly provides Gambling as a Sensitive Advertising Category and says that when the category is limited it will do its best not to show ads from that category while the user is logged in.
Current status
LinkedIn’s advertising policy prohibits ads related to gambling or sweepstakes of any kind.
What this means for you
You should not need to change a setting to avoid paid gambling advertisements on LinkedIn under the platform’s current advertising policy.
Important information
- This rating applies to paid advertising.
- Organic posts, user-created content, editorial material or discussions on LinkedIn can still mention gambling.
Why this service received this rating
LinkedIn’s current Advertising Policies explicitly prohibit paid advertising related to gambling or sweepstakes.
Current status
Facebook lets you choose to see fewer ads about ad topics through Meta Accounts Centre. On an Australian account, AdControl verified separate “Gambling” and “Real money gaming” topics, each with a “See less” option.
What this means for you
Set both Gambling and Real money gaming to See less. This can reduce gambling-related ads, but Meta describes the outcome as receiving fewer ads about those topics rather than substantially excluding the category.
Connected accounts
If your Facebook, Instagram and Threads accounts are connected in the same Accounts Centre, you only need to change this setting once. The preference will apply across the connected accounts.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Open the Facebook app.
- 2
Tap Menu, then Settings & privacy → Settings.
- 3
Open Accounts Centre.
- 4
Tap Ad preferences → Customize ads → Ad topics → See all.
- 5
Search for Gambling.
- 6
In the search results, set Gambling to See less using the toggle shown beside it.
- 7
Real money gaming will also appear in the same search results. Tap Real money gaming.
- 8
Select See less.
Important information
- You must be signed in to change this preference.
- See less is a reduction, not a block.
- Gambling-related ads may still occasionally appear.
- Accounts that are not connected in the same Accounts Centre may need to be changed separately.
- We could not find a reliable link that opens Meta’s Ad topics screen inside the mobile app, so follow the in-app steps above rather than a web shortcut.
Why this service received this rating
Meta provides dedicated Gambling and Real money gaming controls, but describes the result as seeing fewer ads about those topics rather than substantially excluding them.
Sources
Current status
Instagram lets you choose to see fewer ads about ad topics through Meta Accounts Centre. AdControl verified that the shared Meta setting includes separate Gambling and Real money gaming topics.
What this means for you
Set both Gambling and Real money gaming to See less. This can reduce gambling-related ads, but Meta describes the outcome as receiving fewer ads about those topics rather than substantially excluding the category.
Connected accounts
If your Instagram, Facebook and Threads accounts are connected in the same Accounts Centre, you only need to change this setting once. The preference will apply across the connected accounts.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- 2
Tap the menu in the top-right.
- 3
Open Accounts Centre → Ad preferences.
- 4
Open Customize ads → Ad topics → See all.
- 5
Search for Gambling.
- 6
In the search results, set Gambling to See less using the toggle shown beside it.
- 7
Real money gaming will also appear in the same search results. Tap Real money gaming.
- 8
Select See less.
Important information
- See less reduces rather than completely removes ads.
- Meta accounts that are not connected may require separate changes.
- Follow the in-app steps rather than relying on a Meta web link.
Why this service received this rating
Meta provides dedicated Gambling and Real money gaming controls, but describes the result as seeing fewer ads about those topics rather than substantially excluding them.
Sources
Current status
Threads lets you manage Ad topics through Meta Accounts Centre. AdControl verified that a connected Threads account shares the Meta preferences containing Gambling and Real money gaming.
What this means for you
Set both Gambling and Real money gaming to See less. This can reduce gambling-related ads, but Meta describes the outcome as receiving fewer ads about those topics rather than substantially excluding the category.
Connected accounts
If your Threads, Facebook and Instagram accounts are connected in the same Accounts Centre, you only need to change this setting once. The preference will apply across the connected accounts.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Open Threads and go to your profile.
- 2
Tap the menu in the top-right.
- 3
Open Accounts Centre → Ad preferences.
- 4
Open Ad topics and view all topics.
- 5
Search for Gambling.
- 6
In the search results, set Gambling to See less using the toggle shown beside it.
- 7
Real money gaming will also appear in the same search results. Tap Real money gaming.
- 8
Select See less.
Important information
- You must be signed in to change this preference.
- See less is a reduction rather than a complete block.
- Accounts that are not connected in the same Accounts Centre may require separate changes.
- Follow the in-app steps rather than relying on a Meta web link.
Why this service received this rating
Meta provides dedicated Gambling and Real money gaming controls, but describes the result as seeing fewer ads about those topics rather than substantially excluding them.
Current status
TikTok lets users choose to see less advertising in selected topics. On an Australian account, AdControl verified “Real money gaming” under Manage ad topics with a “See less” option.
What this means for you
TikTok’s control is a preference to See less advertising associated with Real money gaming — not a gambling advertising block or opt-out. TikTok warns that related ads can still occasionally appear, and changes may take up to 48 hours.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Open TikTok and tap Profile.
- 2
Tap the menu, then Settings and privacy.
- 3
Tap Ads → Manage ad topics.
- 4
Open Other.
- 5
Select Real money gaming.
- 6
Choose See less.
- 7
Allow up to 48 hours for the preference to take effect.
Important information
- You must be signed in to change this preference.
- Changes may take up to 48 hours.
- TikTok states that ads may occasionally still include elements from topics you have chosen not to see.
- The setting is called Real money gaming, not Gambling.
- TikTok’s gambling advertising categories cover areas such as online gambling and sports betting, so this is the relevant setting — but it does not completely block those ads.
Why this service received this rating
TikTok provides a dedicated Real money gaming advertising preference, but describes the control as “See less” rather than indicating that gambling-related advertising will be substantially excluded.
Current status
Snapchat lets users choose to see fewer advertisements from selected Ad Topics, explicitly including gambling.
What this means for you
Use Snapchat’s Gambling Ad Topic preference to reduce gambling advertising. This reduces gambling ads rather than guaranteeing that none will appear.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
On iOS: open Snapchat and tap the Settings gear from your Profile.
- 2
Scroll to App & Privacy and tap My App.
- 3
Under Customize My App, tap Lifestyle & Interests.
- 4
Find the Gambling Ad Topic.
- 5
Choose the setting that means you want to see fewer gambling ads.
- 6
On Android: open Settings → My Account, then under Manage My Account tap Ads → Lifestyle & Interests, find Gambling and choose the setting that means you want to see fewer gambling ads.
Important information
- This is a free, gambling-specific control.
- Snapchat’s broader advertising-targeting settings are not a substitute for the Gambling Ad Topic.
- Snapchat+ Platinum has broader paid ad-removal features, but the free gambling-specific preference is more directly relevant.
Why this service received this rating
Snapchat explicitly allows users to choose to see fewer gambling advertisements. The setting provides meaningful control, but Snapchat describes the outcome as seeing fewer ads rather than substantially excluding the category.
Current status
X permits some gambling advertising in Australia and does not provide a gambling-specific ad control. X Premium+ provides an ad-free experience across most areas of the platform.
At a glance
- Ad-free option available
- No gambling ad settings
Plan comparison
- Free / BasicHas ads: Has ads
- PremiumHas ads: Approximately 50% fewer ads in the For You and Following timelines
- Premium+Ad-free: Ad-free across most areas; occasional sponsored content may remain
Subscription pricing can change and can differ by purchase channel.
What this means for you
There is no free setting to specifically reduce gambling ads. Upgrading to Premium+ removes most platform advertising, which should also remove most gambling ads, although occasional sponsored content may remain.
Step-by-step instructions
- 1
Open the Profile menu in the X app.
- 2
Select Get Premium+.
- 3
Select the Premium+ tier and tap Subscribe & Pay.
- 4
Complete phone verification if prompted.
- 5
Follow the iOS or Android purchase flow.
Important information
- Premium+ is a paid general ad-free option, not a gambling-specific setting.
- X says occasional sponsored content may still appear.
- Organic posts, creator promotions and gambling references sit outside the paid-ad system.
- Turning off personalised ads changes how ads are targeted but does not stop ads, so it is not a gambling-ad solution.
Why this service received this rating
X does not offer a gambling-specific advertising preference, but Premium+ provides a paid way to remove advertising across most of the platform. This is consistent with AdControl’s treatment of paid ad-free options such as Prime Video and Stan.
Need support with gambling?
If gambling is affecting you or someone close to you, free and confidential support is available 24/7 through Gambling Help Online.