Google will allow limited ads for prediction markets starting January 2026

Google shared that it is modify its advertising policies. Starting January 21, 2026, some prediction markets will be allowed to advertise in the United States.

THE update is limited to federally regulated organizations, and advertisers will also have to go through a new certification process before they can serve these ads.

Google allows ads for prediction markets

Under the updated policy, Google will allow advertising for “prediction markets,” which it defines as “platforms that facilitate the listing of or provide customer access to contracts for publicly traded events related to economics, sports, or news.” However, eligibility is tightly limited.

Google Ads will allow ads for prediction markets https://t.co/btlO3P8v9S pic.twitter.com/6ZnKp4Ghj9

– Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) January 6, 2026

According to the updated policy, advertisers must belong to one of the following two groups. The first group includes companies approved by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as Designated Contract Markets (DCM). These are platforms whose main activity consists of offering event contracts listed on a stock exchange, such as markets linked to economic indicators or sports results.

The second group covers brokerage firms authorized by the National Futures Association to provide users with access to products offered by an eligible DCM.

In addition to meeting these regulatory requirements, advertisers will also need to request certification directly from Google before they can serve ads to U.S. users. Google stressed that “all ads, products and landing pages must comply with all local laws, financial regulations, industry standards and all other Google Ads policies.”

The company said translated versions of its ad policies help center are available for reference, but said “the English version is the official language used to enforce Google Ads policies.” It also included a general warning that “AI can make mistakes.”

The updated guidelines will be published in the Advertising Policies Help Center and referenced in Google’s Financial Services and Gambling Policies. All details are already available for preview on the Prediction Markets policy page.

Over the past few months, Google has continued to refine its Gaming and Gambling Policyincluding reclassification of casino draw games they are therefore no longer treated as social games. And as prediction markets continue to gain traction, it appears Google is paying more attention to this space as well.

Featured image: Google / Canva

The position Google will allow limited ads for prediction markets starting January 2026 appeared first on ReadWrite.

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