Before the year concludes, the Google Play Store may witness a surge in the availability of real-money gaming (RMG) apps, particularly in specific locations. In 2021, Google initially permitted apps involving real money on the condition that they fell within government-regulated game categories. However, the company has now announced a revision to its rules, allowing for more “game types and operators not covered by an existing licensing framework.” This adjustment will broaden the Play Store’s scope to include games that may not be widely popular or subject to local government regulations.
Google conducted various pilot programs worldwide since 2021 to assess how it could support additional real-money game operators and diverse game types. In countries like India, pilot tests featured apps offering Rummy card games and Daily Fantasy Sports. The new policy will be implemented in India, Mexico, and Brazil starting on June 30. Following this date, operators from the pilot programs can release their existing applications, along with other types of real-money gaming apps, as long as they comply with local laws.
While Google plans to extend the availability of RMG apps to other regions, it emphasized that age requirements for accessing these games will remain in effect. Developers must continue to geo-fence their products to ensure availability only in legal jurisdictions. Google also mentioned an evolution in its service fee model for real-money gaming apps to support the Android and Play ecosystems. Although RMG apps currently can’t use Google Play billing, this may change as the company seeks to receive a portion of developers’ earnings.
