What just happened? Android users will soon be able to access real-money gambling and betting apps on the Google Play Store, rather than having to sideload them, following a change in policy. Currently, such applications are only available in four countries worldwide, but they will be expanding to 15 more locations, including America.
Google Play Store to Allow Licensed Gambling Apps Providing Android a Competitive Advantage Google announced Friday that beginning on March 1st, 2021, the company would allow gambling apps on its. Club Vegas 2021: New Slots Games & Casino bonuses. Bagelcode: Free Slot Machine Games Developer. Play Vegas slot machines for free with bonuses in our casino app - JOIN US NOW.
Right now, only Android users in the UK, Brazil, Ireland, and France can access real-money gambling apps on the Play Store. According to 9to5Google, this will change on March 1 when they’ll be permitted in 15 new locations: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United States.
Google Play Gambling Policy
UK Play Store gambling apps
The types of apps allowed on the store vary from country to country. They cover casino games, lotteries, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports. When they come to the US, what is and isn’t allowed will be decided on a per-state basis.
9To5Google published the list of state-by-state limitations:
Google Free Casino Games
- Online casino games (permitted in Delaware, Nevada (poker only), New Jersey, and Pennsylvania)
- Sports betting (permitted in Colorado, District of Columbia (governmental operators only), Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana (governmental operators only), Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon (governmental operators only), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and West Virginia)
- Lotteries (state-run operators or affiliated contracted operators only in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia)
- Depending on the state, daily fantasy sports may be regulated as gambling in the US, and all daily fantasy sports apps published in the United States are subject to the Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Apps requirements below.
Developers wishing to release a gambling app on the store will have to go through a stringent application process ensuring they comply with each countries’ laws. They must be “an approved governmental operator” and hold a valid gambling license for each country or state/territory in which the app is distributed.
Additionally, apps must be rated “Adult Only,” be free to download, and not use the Google In-app Billing system.
Masthead image credit: Wpadington
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It will be “game on” soon at the Google Play Store for Pennsylvania sportsbook apps and online casinos.
Google Play announced an upcoming policy change that will allow real-money gambling apps that include online casinos, lotteries, sports betting and daily fantasy sports.
As of now, real-money gambling apps are only available in Brazilian, Irish, French and British Google Play Stores. The new policy goes into effect on March 1, and gambling apps will be available in the United States and 14 additional countries.
Google Play in for PA iGaming
Thirteen online sportsbooks and 12 online casinos are available in Pennsylvania. Currently, users who are 21+ and physically located in PA can download and play via:
- iOS
- Desktop
- Android, whose users access the apps via direct download from the operator’s website
This major change helps operators reach a wider audience and also makes the process more streamlined for users.
DraftKings confirmed the change to Online Poker Report in a statement:
“As sports betting and iGaming continues to expand across the United States, we are excited that DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino apps will soon be available to download for Android users via Google Play.”
Strict requirement for gambling apps
To get a place in the Google Play store, a developer must have a valid gambling license for each country or state where the app is offered. Also, developers in the 15 countries new to the Google Play store have a list of conditions to meet, and a number of them deal with responsible gaming.
Eligible apps must meet the following requirements:
- Developer must successfully complete the application process in order to distribute the app on Google Play.
- App must comply with all applicable laws and industry standards for each country.
- Developer must have a valid gambling license for each country or state/territory.
- Developer must not offer a type of gambling product that exceeds the scope of its gambling license.
- App must prevent underage users from using it.
- App must prevent access and use from countries, states/territories or geographic areas not covered by the developer-provided gambling license.
- The app must NOT be purchasable as a paid app on Google Play, nor use Google Play In-app Billing.
- App must be free to download and install from the store.
- App must be rated AO (Adult Only) or IARC equivalent.
- App and its listing must clearly display information about responsible gambling.
Lead image credit: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez