Advertising

Gambling and Contest Policies

Microsoft's policies on gambling ads differ in each country/region. As an advertiser, it is your responsibility to comply with all applicable local and international regulations. Microsoft can refuse an ad or make exceptions to the policies even if an ad complies with the policies. Each country/region has different policies on acceptable ads and keywords. If you publish ads in two or more countries/regions, you are required to make any changes necessary to comply with the different policies in each region. These polices apply to all forms of currency including real and virtual currency.

Disapproved gambling content.

Taiwan does not permit the publication of online gambling ads. Among such sites are those that accept wagers or require payment or other funds 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. For example:

  • 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 that are affiliated with an online gambling site.

    Links to games and contests (non-prohibited gambling content) are allowed.

    Links to games and contests (non-prohibited gambling content) are allowed.

    You may not link to online gambling content from the non-gambling website.

    You may not link to online gambling content from the non-gambling website.

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.

Bid keyword

Casino

Approved exampleApproved

Casino Hotel
www.contoso.com
Casino Hotel deals
Low rates every day!

Policy

Bidding on online gambling related keywords is allowed, provided that neither your ad nor landing page promotes online gambling or wagering.

Gambling policies specific to individual markets

Refer to the following policies about specific markets and additional requirements.

Expand all
Americas

Advertisers of paid fantasy sports must exclude the following U.S. States from their campaigns: Arkansas (AR), Arizona (AZ), Hawaii (HI), Illinois (IL), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Louisiana (LA), Montana (MT), Nevada (NV), North Dakota (ND), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT) and Washington (WA). Microsoft does not permit advertising of paid fantasy sports in the foregoing states.

Contests and draws

In general, ads can be used to conduct contests and free draws provided that wagering is not involved. Such websites must provide accurate and valid information to the search user and comply with all applicable local and national regulations. For example, you can conduct draws that do not involve transactions.

  • If participation in contests and draws promoted in ads is based on payment or other similar funds, the advertiser must comply with all local and national regulations.
  • If the contest provides special offers, or requires meeting specific conditions to participate, the ad must include a textual description explaining the qualifications related to the ad’s special offers. It must also indicate 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.

ApprovedApproved

Free lottery ticket
www.contoso.com
Free participation.
Win real rewards!

Disapproved Disapproved

Win big!
www.contoso.com
Pay US$1 for the chance to take home millions!

Policies

Ads can generally be used for contests and free draws provided that they do not involve online wagering.