Google Play Betting Apps Policy Updated: Google Allows Gambling Apps In Multiple Countries
Google Play Betting Apps – Overview
Google also made a key decision in the online world of gambling by allowing gambling apps in its Play Store in many countries other than the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Brazil, where the practice was already (partly or wholly) legal. This is a giant step in online gaming in that it opens distribution to many more gamers. This allows players access to android casino bonuses, something that is very valuable for betting on mobile devices.
Google has widened its list of allowed countries for online gambling. In its development blogs, Google further stated that it intends to unlock more online casino apps forenabledrecommended use in its Play Store once general guidelines are narrowed. The company went on to outline its dedication to working with regulators to make these apps available in more countries.
This is indeed a huge shift for several operators and users from the above-stated countries, who until now could directly download or distribute such apps through websites or third-party platforms. Such processes were incredibly cumbersome for users, who faced great difficulty in locating the relevant mobile apps and exposed themselves to probable fraudulent attempts or viruses. Furthermore, operators really had to contend for promotion and maintenance for sideloaded apps. With this gap slowly being bridged, it promises better conditions for all parties involved.
These issues are now behind us. Google will keep updating the countries list as regulations are relaxed and more entrants are allowed to access gambling apps on their devices. What are these countries, and what rules has Google recently applied to gambling apps?
New Countries Where Gambling Apps are Allowed by Google
Due to some adjustments in the gambling laws of various jurisdictions, Google is now open for app publishing from a new list of countries. The latest set of rules from Google Play would allow gambling apps and online casinos in the Play Store in the listed countries.
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Columbia
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Hungary
- Japan
- Kenya
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Panama
- Portugal
- Romania
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Spain
- US
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- Turkey
Does that mean you can have an easy time rolling out your online gambling casino apps in those countries? Not really. To start with, these rules do not uniformly apply across countries and generally depend on national or state laws.
For example, Google has divided online gambling apps into the following categories: Online Casinos (real money casino apps), Sports Betting software, Lotteries, Horse Racing (when licensed and regulated separately from sports betting), and Daily Fantasy Sports. In the least regulated countries such as the UK, Denmark, and Mexico, all these types can be legally published by private and government operators.
The gaming apps made available for gambling are at most only 2 or 3 genres in most countries; in some, these gaming apps are given license only to governmental or charitable organizations. Several are industry-related exceptions to the rule, though: in Japan, horse racing, motorboat racing, bicycle racing, auto-bicycle racing, and soccer are the only forms of legalized gambling available.
The US appears to be the most strictly regulated when it comes to the publishing of online casino games. Each state has its own systems, while other countries have local regulations addressing the publishing and distribution of casino games within its territory.
Online casino app creators need to make themselves aware of the legal obligations and applicable licenses necessary before introducing the casino app within their jurisdiction. This will legitimize their casino apps and allow them faster publication.
All Countries Where Gambling Apps are Allowed by Google
Casino gambling apps are now available in 37 countries, including the US. Sixteen additional countries have been added to the list for permitting mobile casino apps, which extends from four countries (Brazil, France, the UK, and Ireland) according to the new regulations that would allow sports betting, fantasy sports, casino app games, and lotteries.
Developers may, however, have to meet certain guidelines for mobile casino application or casino games publishing within some jurisdictions. The mobile casinos will have to be duly sanctioned by the regulatory body from the jurisdiction within which the mobile casino App Developer resides. Casino apps must also be submitted by developers with a valid gambling license to develop mobile casino sites/apps within their jurisdiction.
In this country, Google allows the publishing of genuine casino applications, social casino apps, real money casinos, and other gambling services. That is why all the players in igaming development must ensure that their apps fit under the licenses of their jurisdictions, thus making the casino licenses important.