Real-Money Gambling, Games, and Contests

Changes are coming to this policy!

We’re expanding and clarifying our Real-Money Gambling, Games, and Contests policy. We want you to be able to review changes in advance. Find a summary of the changes and a copy of the updated Developer Policy here.

We allow real-money gambling apps, ads related to real-money gambling, and daily fantasy sports apps that meet certain requirements.

COLLAPSE ALL EXPAND ALL

 

Gambling Apps We only allow content and services that facilitate online gambling in: the UK, Ireland, and France Brazil (limited to approved apps published by Caixa Economica Federal) These apps must meet the following requirements: Developer must successfully complete the application process in order to distribute the app on Play; App must comply with all applicable laws and industry standards for each country in which it is distributed; Developer must have a valid gambling license for each country in which the app is distributed; App must prevent under-age users from gambling in the app; App must prevent use from countries not covered by the developer-provided gambling license; 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; and App and its app listing must clearly display information about responsible gambling. For all other locations, we don't allow content or services that facilitate online gambling, including, but not limited to, online casinos, sports betting and lotteries, and games of skill that offer prizes of cash or other real world value.

 

Other Real-Money Games, Contests, and Tournament Apps For all other apps which do not meet the eligibility requirements for gambling apps noted above, we don't allow content or services that enable or facilitate users’ ability to wager, stake, or participate using real money (including in-app items purchased with money) to obtain a prize of real world monetary value. This includes but is not limited to, online casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and games that accept money and offer prizes of cash or other real world value (except programs permitted under the Gamified Loyalty Programs requirements described below). Examples of violations Examples of violations Games that accept money in exchange for an opportunity to win a physical or monetary prize Apps that have navigational elements or features (e.g. menu items, tabs, buttons, webviews, etc.) that provide a “call to action” to wager, stake, or participate in real-money games, contests or tournaments using real money, such as apps that invite users to “BET!” or “REGISTER!” or “COMPETE!” in a tournament for a chance to win a cash prize. Apps that accept or manage wagers, in-app currencies, winnings, or deposits in order to gamble for, or obtain a physical or monetary prize.

 

Ads for Gambling or Real-Money Games, Contests, and Tournaments within Play-distributed Apps We allow apps that advertise gambling, or real-money games, contests, and tournaments if they meet the following requirements: App and ad (including advertisers) must comply with all applicable laws and industry standards for any location where the ad is displayed; Ad must meet local licensing requirements for all gambling-related products and services being promoted; App must not display a gambling ad to individuals known to be under the age of 18; App must not be enrolled in the Designed for Families program; App must not target individuals under the age of 18; If advertising a Gambling App (as defined above), ad must clearly display information about responsible gambling on its landing page, the advertised app listing itself or within the app; App must not provide simulated gambling content (e.g. social casino apps; apps with virtual slot machines); App must not provide gambling or real money game, lottery, or tournament support functionality (e.g. functionality that assists with wagering, payouts, sports score/odds tracking, or management of participation funds); You must not have an ownership interest in gambling or real money games, lotteries, or tournament services advertised within the app; App content must not promote or direct users to gambling or real money games, lotteries, or tournament services Only Gambling apps (as defined above) or apps that meet all of these requirements may include ads for gambling or real money games, lotteries, or tournaments.   Examples of violations Examples of violations An app that’s designed for under-age users and shows an ad promoting gambling services A simulated casino game that promotes or directs users to real money casinos A dedicated sports odds tracker app containing integrated gambling ads linking to a sports betting site Apps that have gambling ads that violate our Deceptive Ads policy, such as ads that appear to users as buttons, icons, or other interactive in-app elements

 

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Apps We only allow daily fantasy sports (DFS) apps, as defined by applicable local law, if they meet the following requirements: App is either 1) only distributed in the United States or 2) eligible under the Gambling Apps requirements and application process noted above for non US based countries; Developer must successfully complete the DFS application process and be accepted in order to distribute the app on Play; App must comply with all applicable laws and industry standards for the countries in which it is distributed; App must prevent under-age users from wagering or conducting monetary transactions within the app; 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 app listing must clearly display information about responsible gambling; App must comply with all applicable laws and industry standards for any US state or US territory in which it is distributed; Developer must have a valid license for each US state or US territory in which a license is required for daily fantasy sports apps; App must prevent use from US States or US territories in which the developer does not hold a license required for daily fantasy sports apps; and App must prevent use from US States or US territories where daily fantasy sports apps are not legal.