Google Play to Allow Gambling Apps in US, Other Countries

Google Play has announced that gambling and betting apps for Android will be available in its Play Store for the U.S. and other countries. The policy change will take effect on March 1.

The change was stated on a Google support page and first reported by Reuters. Google Play says it will “allow real-money gambling apps, ads related to real-money gambling and daily fantasy sports apps that meet certain requirements.”

DraftKings issued a statement Thursday about the change:

“As sports betting and iGaming continues to expand across the United States, we are excited that DraftKings Casino and Sportsbook apps will soon be available to download for Android users via Google Play.”

Gambling products that will be included are games for online casinos, lotteries, sports betting and daily fantasy sports, according to Google. Currently, Android users can only get the apps from operators’ websites. Gambling apps have been available in the Apple app store.

In addition to the U.S., the apps can be downloaded in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Spain and Sweden. They have been available in France, Ireland and the UK.

Requirements for Google Play Use

Google Play has listed about 10 requirements for the gambling apps, including complying with laws and industry standards in each country where it will be distributed; developers must have a valid gambling license for each country or state; the app must prevent under-age users; it must be free to download and install from the Google Store; and it must clearly display information about responsible gambling.

The new policy also gives eligibility requirements for other real-money games, contests and tournament apps; for advertisements and for DFS apps.

More Online Betting Activations Likely

Lifting the ban will make it easier for U.S. Android users to download the apps and play in legal states, while likely boosting activations with online operators. It’s another sign that legal online casino games, sports betting and DFS are becoming widely accepted in the U.S. and around the world.

Online casino gaming is legal for New Jersey online casinos, PA online casinos, Delaware, West Virginia and Michigan online casinos. Online poker is legal in those states plus Nevada.

Sports betting is legal in 20 states, plus the District of Columbia. Louisiana, Maryland and South Dakota voters approved allowing sports betting in their states and legislation to set up regulation and oversight is being considered. Numerous other states have introduced bills this year to legalize sports betting.