Google Play Store to allow real money gambling apps

Google is soon to reverse a long standing ban on real money gambling apps in its Google Play app store.

Presently, Google’s developer policy center lists gambling as restricted content, with a message saying:

“We don’t allow content or services that facilitate online gambling, including but not limited to, online casinos, sports betting, lotteries, or games of skill that offer prizes of cash or other value.”

This has been the case since 2013 when the tech giant decided gambling was a little to prickly from a legal standpoint to embrace in their Android app store.

Seems they’ve now come to terms with the prickles, in certain jurisdictions anyway.

During the week they sent notification to a number of large app developers and gambling operators, advising that from as early as August this year, the door will be opened for gambling apps; but for Google Play UK, France and Ireland only, and only for operators holding licenses to target players in those jurisdictions.

Documentation proving relevant licenses and indicating which countries the app is supposed to target will be required as part of the app submission process.

Most large gambling operators have offered Android apps for some time now, but players have had to download the app directly from the casino’s website. Google Play will give operators a new, and significant channel to find additional players.

Given most mobile live casinos are already Android app ready, once approval from Google is given it won’t take long before residents of the UK, Ireland and France start seeing a bunch of gambling apps in Google Play.