Google Lifts Ban on Gambling Apps in 15 Markets

Google has this week lifted the ban on gambling apps in its play store in 15 countries; a move that has been welcomed with open arms by the international igaming industry. 

This has been made possible due to changes to the search engine’s Developer Programme Policy.

Countries will have access to gambling apps in the Play Store include Australian, Belgian, Canadian, Colombian, Danish, Finnish, German, Japanese, Mexican, New Zealand, Norwegian, Romanian, Spanish, Swedish and US. Apps will became available to download as of March 1st.

However, it is worth noting that this is not a free-for-all, with every country working with its own content restrictions and policies. For instance, in Finland it is just  monopoly operator Veikkaus’ apps, that will be permitted.

In the German market, it is just sports betting and state lottery apps that will be allowed.

For the US, apps will reflect restriction in each state.