It will be “game on” soon at the Google Play Store for Pennsylvania sportsbook apps and online casinos.
Google Play announced an upcoming policy change that will allow real-money gambling apps that include online casinos, lotteries, sports betting and daily fantasy sports.
As of now, real-money gambling apps are only available in Brazilian, Irish, French and British Google Play Stores. The new policy goes into effect on March 1, and gambling apps will be available in the United States and 14 additional countries.
Google Play in for PA iGaming
Thirteen online sportsbooks and 12 online casinos are available in Pennsylvania. Currently, users who are 21+ and physically located in PA can download and play via:
- iOS
- Desktop
- Android, whose users access the apps via direct download from the operator’s website
This major change helps operators reach a wider audience and also makes the process more streamlined for users.
DraftKings confirmed the change to Online Poker Report in a statement:
“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.”
Strict requirement for gambling apps
To get a place in the Google Play store, a developer must have a valid gambling license for each country or state where the app is offered. Also, developers in the 15 countries new to the Google Play store have a list of conditions to meet, and a number of them deal with responsible gaming.
Eligible apps must meet the following requirements:
- Developer must successfully complete the application process in order to distribute the app on Google Play.
- App must comply with all applicable laws and industry standards for each country.
- Developer must have a valid gambling license for each country or state/territory.
- Developer must not offer a type of gambling product that exceeds the scope of its gambling license.
- App must prevent underage users from using it.
- App must prevent access and use from countries, states/territories or geographic areas not covered by the developer-provided gambling license.
- The app must NOT be purchasable as a paid app on Google Play, nor use Google Play In-app Billing.
- App must be free to download and install from the store.
- App must be rated AO (Adult Only) or IARC equivalent.
- App and its listing must clearly display information about responsible gambling.
Lead image credit: AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Related Articles
