Every year, Google is changing and adding policies/settings for many of their products, from websites’ ranking factors to a simple browser feature. Punters and online casino players around the world have been unaffected by those changes but this time it’s different. The search engine and tech giant company announced that it will open its doors for betting and real money casino apps.
Punters who are android users can now participate in online gambling for money much easier nowadays after Google allows real money betting and gambling apps to be downloaded and installed from Google Play Store for free.
“We allow real-money gambling apps, ads related to real-money gambling, loyalty programs with gamified outcomes, and daily fantasy sports apps that meet certain requirements,” Google posted on their support page.
The tech giant company made the announcement in January and started to lift the ban on online casino apps for real money last March 1.
It has also been reported that LeoVegas, one of the best casinos online in India, managed to release their apps in the Play Store.
This will be very good news for gamblers who are using android devices out there. However, there are still several restrictions. The gambling apps will only be allowed in countries and states where the specific gambling product is permitted by law.
As you already know, India will not be part of it as many states in the country ban online gambling.
As of this writing, Google has listed down 19 countries where gambling apps are available. These countries are: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States.
We might see more countries or states in the future as the legality of online casinos is improving worldwide.
Google’s Requirements
Google might be opening its doors to apps for betting and online casinos for real money through the Play Store but don’t expect to have an influx of gambling apps. Google has listed many requirements for the apps to be eligible.
For the online casino operators and the app makers to launch their mobile app in the Google Play Store, they must complete the gambling application form that is found on Google’s support page.
Only the licensed online casino operators will be able to launch their app in the said Play Store and each gambling apps must comply with all the laws and industry standards for each country in which it is distributed.
The eligible apps should also have some features that will prevent minors from using it. Furthermore, the app must be rated as AO or Adult Only.
Google also indicated that the app must display information about responsible gambling.
Finally, the online gambling app must be free to download and should not use and not use Google Play’s in-app billing functionality.
Allowing ads relating to online gambling for money
Not only are the real money casino apps, but Google also is allowing ads about gambling, real money games, contest, and tournaments. However, the mobile apps that will advertise it and the advertisers must comply with the given requirements. These requirements are also found on the Google support page.
According to Google’s terms, both the advertiser and the app must comply with all the laws and industry standards for any location where the advertisement is displayed.
Google is also prohibiting any ad related to gambling to be displayed to individuals known to be under the age of 18.
The apps that will contain the ad must not be enrolled in the Designed for Families program and should not target minors.
The advertisements are also expected to clearly display information about responsible gambling on its landing page, the advertised app listing itself, or within the app.
The app that will display the ads must not provide simulated gambling content nor provide gambling, real money game, lottery, or tournament support functionality.
Finally, the App content must not promote or direct the users to real money online casinos, gambling websites, lotteries, or tournament services.