Hey, Android Users! Coming Soon To Your Google Play Store: Online Gambling Apps

After 13 months of anticipation, Michigan online gambling finally made its debut two weeks ago, receiving the well-deserved excitement it had been waiting for. Now, within a month’s time, Android users residing in Michigan may discover those very same online gambling applications available in the Google Play Store.

Starting from March 1, Google is altering its policy by permitting the inclusion of real money gambling, games, and contest apps in its store. Unlike the Apple devices’ App Store, Google previously disallowed the listing of such apps in the US.

At present, Google Play Stores in Brazil, Ireland, France, and the United Kingdom exclusively permit real-money apps. However, with the implementation of a new policy, Android users residing in Michigan, the US, and 14 additional countries will now have the ability to directly download sportsbooks, lottery, online casinos, and daily fantasy sports apps from the store.

Google Play and MI online gambling

On January 22, Michigan introduced its online market, featuring 10 sportsbooks and 8 online casinos. Online poker was introduced a week later, including popular platforms like PokerStars, Fox Bet, and PokerStars Casino. Currently, residents of Michigan can access 11 sportsbooks, 10 online casinos, and 1 poker application.

Downloading an app on an Apple device is still quite simple – just head to the App Store, find your desired app, and proceed with the download. However, Google and Android phones and tablets entail a few additional steps in the process.

Currently, Android users have the option to directly download apps from gambling websites. However, to do so, they must modify their device settings to permit downloads from external sources. Many Android users found the download process through Google to be discouraging.

Not only end-users will find it easier, but operators themselves will also experience increased convenience.

DraftKings unsurprisingly responded positively to this policy change in their statement.

We are thrilled to announce that Android users will soon be able to download the DraftKings Sportsbook and Casino apps via Google Play, as sports betting and iGaming continue to grow in popularity throughout the United States.

When will gambling apps be available on Google Play Store?

The specific timeline for when the apps will become accessible on the Play Store is uncertain. However, sportsbooks and casinos need to adhere to stringent guidelines established by Google in order to be listed, even though the March 1 policy modification is just a few weeks away.

Some of the requirements encompass, but are not restricted to:

• A valid gambling license is required for the developer.
• The application is required to prohibit individuals under the legal gambling age from engaging in gambling activities.
• The download and installation of the app should be available at no cost.
• This content is restricted to adults only and must be rated as such (AO).
• The responsible gambling information must be clearly displayed on the app.

With the number of Android users in the US reaching the nine-figure mark, it is logical to anticipate a significant increase in Americans’ exposure to gambling apps in the future. This could potentially provide a considerable boost to the online gambling industry as a whole. Notably, amid a pandemic and challenging economic conditions, online gambling remains one of the few flourishing industries.

In summary, we anticipate significant figures for the upcoming week, which will showcase the tremendous success of Michigan’s online gambling after a 10-day launch in January.

The market growth for this year and beyond should be aided by factors such as Android users enjoying a more convenient and efficient method to download gambling apps.