Ever since the gambling industry shifted its focus from desktop players to a mobile first approach, investing in app listing has been a top priority for many online casinos. However, with strict rules applying to the Google Play store as well as the iOS app store, it isn’t necessarily an easy investment. This would explain why GamblingBaba estimates only 20% of mobile casinos have apps developed.
Apple’s Policy on Gambling Apps
In difference to Google, Apple has always stood arms open to welcome mobile casinos and their real money gambling apps to be listed in the iOS app store. Prior to 2019 it used to be a smooth ride for gambling sites as they could easily repackage their website into an app and have it listed on the store.
However, in June 2019 Apple changed their policy. Cited from Apple’s guidelines – 4.7 HTML5 Games, Bots, etc. – these now read the following:
Apps may contain or run code that is not embedded in the binary (e.g. HTML5-based games, bots, etc.), provided that the software does not provide access to real money gaming, lotteries, or charitable donations.
While casino games used to be created in flash, this shifted to HTML5 technology a couple of years ago. This means that gambling sites can no longer run web-based code. In other words, they cannot easily repackage their website into an app. Instead, they have to create native ones with iOS specific code. This procedure is a much more time-consuming and costly one.
Google Play’s Policy on Gambling Apps
Within the gambling industry, Google has long been known for being restrictive when it comes to real money gambling. Prior to March 2021 only four countries were allowed to have gambling apps listed in the store; Brazil, France, Ireland and the UK. Not in any way they wanted, but limitations applied.
This policy didn’t stop mobile casinos from offering apps though. Instead of listing them in Google’s app store, many gambling sites listed them on their own platforms. Users would be able to download and use them by changing their mobile settings to allow apps from unknown sources. This is known as sideloading.
However, in a 2021 March update from Google, one could read the following:
We allow real-money gambling apps, ads related to real-money gambling, loyalty programs with gamified outcomes, and daily fantasy sports apps that meet certain requirements.
While this policy update didn’t apply to every country in the world, it did positively affect the following:
- Australia
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Canada
- Colombia
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Japan
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Romania
- Spain
- Sweden
- United Kingdom
Real money gambling apps which are now allowed include online casino games, lotteries, sports betting and fantasy sports. Every country has its own set of rules and for a gambling operator to be allowed to list an app, an application form must be filled, reviewed and approved.