Gambling and Contests Guidelines

As an advertiser, it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulations. Microsoft and Yahoo! reserve the right to refuse an ad or to make exceptions to the policy even if an ad complies with the guidelines.

The following guidelines apply within the United States and might differ in other countries or regions. Ads and keywords that are acceptable under one country’s policy guidelines might not be acceptable under another. If you advertise in two or more countries, you will need to make any changes necessary to comply with all of the policy guidelines.

Gambling

Advertising for websites that promote or facilitate, directly or indirectly, online gambling or wagering is not allowed. Among such sites are those that accept wagers or require payment in exchange for the chance to win prizes, as well as sites that offer both information and links related primarily to the promotion of online gambling.

As an advertiser, you may bid on keywords that are commonly associated with online gambling or wagering, provided that neither your ad nor your landing page promotes online gambling or wagering.

Disallowed content

• Any content that facilitates, promotes, or is affiliated in any way with online gambling or wagering of any type.
• Websites that contain links that direct site visitors to prohibited gambling content, regardless of the location of the links or whether the offer originates in a geographic region where gambling is legal. In other words, it must be impossible for a site visitor to navigate from your website to any prohibited gambling or wagering content.
• Educational, “learn to play”, “practice” and other free simulation sites, including .net sites that are affiliated with an online gambling site.

Sweepstakes and contests

Advertising is generally allowed for sweepstakes and contests, provided that they do not constitute online wagering, that they give the search user clear and factual information, and that they comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

• Advertising that promotes gambling or participation based on payment or consideration is not allowed under any circumstances.
• Advertising that promotes any contest with a specific offer, or where participation is subject to specific terms, must include qualifying text that is relevant to the offer in the ad and must indicate in the ad that additional terms and conditions apply.
• If participation is contingent on another action, such as signing up for a service, or if specific terms apply, these prerequisites or terms should be set forth clearly and prominently on the website before the site visitor signs up.