Google Play Store policy update bans gambling Apps

A little over a month ago, Google issued a  notification of a policy update to their Google Play Store Developer Program.

There were a bunch of changes, but the big one from a casino game perspective, was a ban on real money gambling Apps.

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

Developers were given 30 days from the date of notification to bring their Apps into line with the new policy. After this time (which has now expired),

…”applications discovered to be in violation may be subject to removal from Google Play.”

In accordance with this new policy, you wouldn’t expect to find any live dealer casino Apps in Google’s Play Store any more right?

Actually, there are. Perhaps Google as still got a way to go with their process of discovery and removal.

The Smart Live Casino and SuperCasino Apps can both still be found in Play Store.

As at 24 October… Smart Live Casino’s Live Roulette App in Google Play…

As at 24 October… SuperCasino’s App in Google Play…

The SuperCasino App was last updated October 17, so perhaps real money play is no longer an option. The last update on the Smart Live Casino App was June 28…real money play definitely still an option here.

These are only two of many casino Apps still in the Play Store. Like I said…perhaps still a bit of catch-up on policy enforcement going on here.

It should be pointed out that even if/when these Apps get removed from Google’s Play Store, Android device users will still able to play them by downloading directly from the respective casino website.

It’ll be interesting to see if Apple’s App Store goes down the same path. The number of live casino games for iPad in the UK App store has grown substantially in the last few months.