Google Play announced an upcoming policy change that will allow gambling and betting Android apps in more countries, as reported by 9To5Google.
At the moment, “real money gambling apps” are only available in the Brazilian, Irish, French, and UK Play Stores. They include online casino games, lotteries, sports betting, and daily fantasy sports.
The new rules will be applied starting on March 1st, and they’ll permit gambling apps in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United States. Of course, each country will have its own limitations on what kind of online gambling is legal, with some countries allowing online casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and daily fantasy sports, and some being more restrictive.
Given the “sensitive nature” of gambling and betting, developers have to complete a Google Play application process and meet other requirements before their Android apps appear:
- App must comply with all applicable laws and industry standards for each country in which it is distributed
- Developer must have a valid gambling license for each country or state/territory in which the app is distributed
Applications are to be rated “Adult Only” and “prevent under-age users from using.” Additionally, users not in an approved state/territory must be prevented from accessing. The app has to be free to download and not use the Google Play In-app Billing system.
Google warns how “attempts to bypass the certification process” and “repeated or serious violations” will result in full removal of apps.
