Even though Google announced changes to its advertising policy regarding gambling just a few weeks ago the company has now taken a step further in allowing users of Google Adwords to bid on poker and gambling related search terms. This move will produce a significant new income stream for the search engine giant and also offers gambling sites and gambling affiliates an interesting alternative to their general advertising methods. But why is Google changing now?
In the world of high finance money comes before everything and though morally Google believed the ban on gambling prior to 2008 was correct, business may not be as brisk in 2009. This factor together with an expected reduction in restrictions in the US should see the poker and gambling advertising market increase substantially over the next 12 months with Google determined to be at the head of the queue.
While companies such as Google are seen as relatively insulated from the worldwide slowdown, there is no doubt there will be some impact (no matter how small) at some stage. By introducing a potentially enormous new income stream the company is looking to replace any potential lost income with this new stream.