Google is the God of the internet. They can make or break websites and pretty much change their ideas, algorithms and much more, anytime they want. Most recently they have decided to allow betting and gambling apps to be released into the Google Play store with real money! Crazy, right? Until now Google Play had wanted nothing to do with gambling apps. But today you can download gambling games and actually win money on them!
For a while, Android users could only get gambling apps directly from the gambling sites. This made it hard for developers to push updates and promote their apps to people. But, supposedly Google had been emailing these app creators, telling them to prepare for a chance in policy. Gambling apps in the Google Play store started in August, 2017, but the only countries initially allowed to download were the United Kingdom, France and the Republic of Ireland.
As long as all goes well, this ability to play betting games will be expanding to new regions and countries. There are no clear answers on why Google did not allow these apps in the first place, but it looks like allowing them now has been in the works for a few years. It has been said that they banned the apps because there is no real way to know a users age who wants to download the app. It’s still unclear how they will overcome this in the future. Google continues changing, growing and adapting as a search engine and that’s what makes it the best and top choice for users.
Google play is a marketplace that serves millions of users worldwide. This makes it a huge opportunity for the developers and operators of gaming and betting apps that will be released. These companies who could only promote through their own websites will be in for a successful year as Google Play opens the floodgates to a much bigger market of users. The change of heart does come with some specifications that could pose complications for apps designers.
App owners will need to meet certain requirements/criteria such as making the app free to download and install for free. The application must be for adults only and prevent anyone underage from using the app. All apps must have ‘responsible gaming’ information where users can find and easily read. The developer must have all the legal information that allows them to be a gambling service as well. There are much more specific required for developers to put their apps on Google Play, but it’s not much different than the requirements for putting a gaming app on Apple’s App Store.
Overall, users are quite excited about this big change in the Google Play App Store. Whether you want to play sports betting games, or have a chance to play Eurojackpot from your phone and your an Android user, you may be in luck! I think these gaming apps in Google Play will do really well and expand into more countries quite fast.
