After with so many changes, form the privacy issue, chat feature, video calling, tag and un-tag, now, the most powerful social networking site Facebook also changed its advertising guidelines and to allow online casino ads on their site. This would allow online poker sites, casino sites, lotteries, sports betting sites and other gambling organizations to target players through Facebook.

The reason for the change in Facebook’s advertising rules is they are trying to reach out to even more industries which is were they earn their revenue, through advertisements. With this new way of advertising for offline and online casino sites come some rules, of course, which must be followed. However, while they allow ads on gambling, there is still a prohibited policy from US players.

One of the biggest and most important rules to be followed is local laws must be followed for your area and authorization and consent must be approved by Facebook before using their network for any advertising.

In Facebook Advertising Guidelines where the ad content from Gambling Lotteries:

• 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 with prior authorization from 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 offline gambling establishments, such as offline casinos, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, are generally permitted, provided that ads must be appropriately targeted.

Not Applicable For US players

According to Facebook, there are several rules have been put into place regarding the United States. USA-based advertisers are allowed to place advertisements for online gambling on Facebook.

However, these online casino ads cannot target Us casino players; rather, they will be shown to potential players in the countries in which Facebook is allowing online gambling advertisements. While these restrictions won’t affect a lot of online casino sites in which few have any operations originating from the USA, it could hit affiliates, who would certainly like to use Facebook to target new players.

The Cost

Advertisers – operators and affiliates – who will want to advertise on Facebook and have overcome the legal obstacles to doing so under company guidelines, will have to cough up $30,000 – the minimum advertising campaign. Likely too large for smaller affiliates to afford, and perhaps even enough to price out some small gambling sites.

In Facebook advertising guidelines read as follow:

“Gambling advertising may be available through a direct sales partnership with Facebook. These partnerships require a minimum monthly spend of $30,000 USD.”

For this sum Facebook promises an opportunity to “reach over 750 million people where they connect and share,” as their Facebook Ads slogan states.

Still, the move is a definite change in policy for Facebook, which has never allowed advertisements for online gambling in the past. Facebook, which claims over 750 million active members, was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and three of his college roommates.