Google Play is conducting a limited-time pilot program enabling distribution of daily fantasy sports and rummy apps to users in India by developers incorporated in India in a way that delivers a safe and enjoyable user experience. This article provides an overview of the pilot.
Daily fantasy sports (often referred to as “DFS”) are games in which contestants use their knowledge of athletic events and athletes to select or manage rosters of simulated athletes whose performance directly corresponds with the actual performance of human athletes on sports teams or in sports events. The outcome of the game depends on how the performances of participants' fantasy roster choices compare with the performance of others' roster choices. The current scope of the pilot precludes DFS games played on or as part of e-sports tournaments.
Apps should take steps to ensure that the user’s selection of athletes does not entirely consist of players from a single real-world roster or team. Additionally, apps should take steps to ensure users can pick a roster consisting of at least as many athletes as required to constitute a real world team to score points for the duration of at least one entire real world match.
Rummy (often referred to as “Online Rummy Games”) is a set of card games in which a player must strategize, memorize the fall of cards, and arrange valid card sets and/or sequences by picking and discarding cards from a closed deck and an open deck, offered in either 10, 13, 21, or 27-card formats, and in accordance with the rules followed for the offline versions of the same formats conventionally played in India.
For developers
From September 28, 2022 through September 28, 2023, Google Play will run a limited-time application-only pilot to allow DFS and Rummy apps by developers incorporated in India to be distributed to users on Google Play in India. For the duration of the pilot, apps that are distributed on Google Play in India and compliant with the requirements stated in Ads for Gambling or Real-Money Games, Contests, and Tournaments within Play-distributed Apps policy will be allowed to host DFS and Rummy promotions to apps and/or websites on and off Google Play.
How to participate
In order to participate in this pilot program, developers will need to:
- Complete and submit this application form.
- In addition to all Google Play policies, all participants will be subject to terms and conditions of the pilot program. Please accept the “Google Play Pilot Program for DFS and Rummy Apps Terms and Conditions” noted in the application form.
Google will review application forms and will notify eligible applicants of the result within seven business days of form submission. Google Play developer account noted on the application form must be in compliance with all Play policies to remain eligible to participate in the pilot.