Sure, mobile games can be a enjoyable way to kill time, but things can get serious when real money is on the line. Gambling in any form can become addictive, which is why many governments have rules to control this type of gaming.
Yet, these rules differ depending on the region, and not every country has laws limiting gambling, even in the context of a mobile app. Now, Google is easing up on its Play Store policies to accommodate what it terms “real-money games” or gaming apps that involve actual currency.
In a blog post on the Android Developers Blog, Google shared that starting in June 2024, it will broaden its support for specific gambling apps. Before this, Google had a trial run in India and Mexico, permitting certain types of real-money games and apps. Daily fantasy sports gambling apps were allowed in both countries, and rummy apps got the green light in India.
Google is set to broaden this program to include game types and operators without an existing licensing framework. Initially, this expansion will be limited to users in India, Mexico, and now Brazil. Google mentions its intention to extend support to more countries soon. The company assures that current policies focused on user safety, such as age-gating and geo-gating, will stay in place to ensure that only adults can access gambling apps.
Even though the online gambling scene might appear a bit like the Wild West, Google’s policy changes come with a lot of details. When Google made similar updates in 2021, it opened the door for more gambling apps in the US. However, there were conditions that both gamers and developers had to follow, depending on the region. For example, online casino apps were only allowed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada (limited to poker), and Delaware.
Sports betting had restrictions, covering states like West Virginia, Tennessee, and Rhode Island. Moreover, individual app creators had to possess valid licenses and comply with local laws. The UK, Ireland, and France were the pioneers in easing restrictions on gambling apps in 2017, but the rollout in the US experienced delays.
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