United States
United Kingdom
Summary:
- Google will expand the availability of RMG apps to more countries under a new policy update
- The move is aimed at supporting RMG developers and helping their businesses grow
- The changes will take effect on June 30, 2024
Google is boosting its support for developers involved in the real-money gaming (RMG) space, with the company allowing more RMG apps to be published on its digital distribution service, Google Play.
Starting in June this year, the online store on Android will support a broader range of RMG apps for users in India, Mexico, and Brazil, with a plan to make the apps available to users in more countries in the future.
Google made the announcement in a recent blog posted by Karan Gambhir, the company’s Director for Global Trust and Safety Partnerships.
New RMG Approach Aimed at Helping Developers
Titled “A New Approach to Real Money Games”, the blog highlights the growing demand for RMG apps, noting that this specific category has “continued to flourish” as developers come up with innovative ways of offering RMG for mobile phone users.
Since 2021, Google has been onboarding RMG apps in markets with pre-existing licensing frameworks and at the same time conducting pilot programs to figure out how to strengthen its support for RMG developers. Many of them are involved in ongoing pilots in India and Mexico for Rummy and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS).
Taking into account the results of the pilot programs and the positive feedback so far from users and developers, the tech giant now aims to expand the apps to a wider audience and cover more game types while maintaining its commitment to user safety.
Google’s new RMG approach includes a policy update that will provide new business opportunities for developers globally.
Policy Changes Come into Effect on June 30
The policy changes will take effect on June 30, 2024, when the pilot programs for India and Mexico will also end. The pilot apps will remain on Google Play until that date, after which developers will be allowed to distribute their apps beyond DFS and rummy to users in India and beyond DFS in Mexico, in accordance with local laws.
According to the blog, RMG developers can also expect changes to Google’s service fee model which will be implemented to reflect the value that Google Play provides as well as sustain the Android and Play ecosystems. The tech giant is currently in talks with developers on this matter.
Furthermore, Google will work to improve its existing user safety measures, including age-gating and geo-gating. The company will also push ahead with efforts to ensure player protection and transparency.
