Real Money Gambling Apps To Be Available In US Google Play
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The Google Play Store has gives the green light to allow real money gambling apps to be available in the US.
In major news for the gambling industry, Google Play has announced that gambling and betting apps for Android will be permitted to appear in its Play Store for the US and other countries. This significant change to the company’s Developer Program Policy will come into effect on March 1. The change was posted on a Google support page and broke last week. Google Play now says it will permit “real-money gambling apps and ads related to real-money gambling.” Additionally, the company stated that daily fantasy sports apps would be allowed “that meet certain requirements.”
In response to this news, DraftKings issued a statement, stressing that they were “excited” the DraftKings casino and sportsbook apps will soon be available for Android users to download via the Google Play Store.
According to Google, the gambling products that are now allowed include sports betting, daily fantasy sports, lotteries, and online casino games. At the moment, Android users can only download gambling apps directly from operators’ websites. Conversely, gambling apps have been available to download from the Apple app store for a long time.
It is not just in the US where these changes are taking effect. Apps can now be downloaded in New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Belgium, Romania, Columbia, Denmark, Finland, Mexico, and Spain. They have already been permitted on the Google Play store in France, Ireland, and the UK.
Google Play Requirements
Google Play has produced a list of 10 requirements for the gambling apps. These include complying with laws and industry standards in each country where the apps are being downloaded. Some of the other conditions include the app having measures in place to prevent under-age users and being free to download from the Google Play store. Additionally, all developers must have a valid gambling license for each country or state and the app must have responsible gambling information clearly displayed for the users.
The new policy being implemented by Google also gives eligibility requirements for real money tournaments, contests, and games on an app, in addition to advertisements for DFS apps.
Gambling App Registration Numbers Could Grow
Removing the red tape around gambling apps will make the download process for US Android betting apps more straightforward. Additionally, it is likely more customers will now sign up with online operators. This further strengthens the argument that legal online casino games, daily fantasy sports contests, and sports betting are becoming more widespread in the United States and worldwide.
Currently, online casino gaming is legal in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Michigan, and West Virginia. Online poker is legal in all of those states, as well as Nevada. Sports betting is legal in 20 states.
Be sure to check back for more sports betting and casino news across the US. Follow us over on Twitter @Gamble_usa for the latest news, operator offers, and promos.
