Android users, rejoice! Gambling apps can soon be downloaded directly from the Google Play store.
Online sports betting, lottery, casino games and daily fantasy sports apps will all be made available in the US Google Play store beginning March 1.
Gambling apps come to the Google Play store
For Apple users, finding a gambling app within the App Store has been a simple process for quite awhile now. For Android users, it has been a long time coming.
Google already permits the inclusion of gambling apps in Brazil, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Due to a recent change in the company’s Developer Program Policy, the US and fourteen other countries will gain access to these apps within the Play store. Those countries include:
- Australia
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- Mexico
- Sweden
In these jurisdictions, Android users can currently only locate and access these apps through a direct download from an operator’s website.
In order to download such apps, users must first adjust their device’s security settings to permit downloads from an outside source. This can be a deterring step that makes players understandably weary.
Because of this extra hurdle, some Android users ultimately forgo the process.
A major win for online gambling operators
With Google’s policy change, Android users no longer have to jump through superfluous hoops to download certain apps.
Now, the same process for downloading any other app will apply for downloading a gambling app.
Naturally, this marks a monumental win for online gambling operators, who expect a substantial increase in their Android customer base.
The announcement comes as thrilling news for sportsbooks like DraftKings:
“As sports betting and iGaming continues to expand across the United States, we are excited that DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino apps will soon be available to download for Android users via Google Play.”
New policies come with new regulations
A complete list of the types of gambling apps allowed in each state can be found on Google’s support website.
Google outlines its changes, saying:
“We allow real-money gambling apps, ads related to real-money gambling and daily fantasy sports apps that meet certain requirements.”
These “certain requirements” stipulate that operators must have a valid gambling license, complete a gambling application form and comply with state-specific and countrywide laws.
Operators must rate gambling apps “Adult Only” in an effort to prevent minors from accessing them. Additionally, each must be free to download and display information regarding responsible gambling.
Such precautions prevent a gambling free-for-all from taking place in the Play store and improve market accessibility at the same time.
Consequently, this increased ease of access should result in yet another boom for the online gambling industry.
