Google Expands Real-Money


Google is set to enhance its support for real-money games (RMG) on the Play Store, with plans to allow a broader range of games in this category based on local laws. This move, scheduled to kick off in June, will initially cover India, Brazil, and Mexico, with a future rollout in more countries.


The decision to extend support for real-money gaming follows Google's pilot initiatives, which began in 2021, aimed at including such apps on the Play Store. In the preceding year, Google initiated a pilot project in India, permitting fantasy sports and Rummy apps on the local Play Store. However, it's worth noting that in 2020, Google removed Paytm's app from the Play Store due to the inclusion of newly introduced fantasy sports elements.


The pilot program, which has now been extended until June 30, included regulations pertaining to age verification and ID verification. During this period, developers were given the opportunity to publish their real-money gaming apps on the Play Store, specifically in fantasy sports categories. This approach aligns with Google's commitment to ensuring responsible and compliant usage of real-money gaming applications.


Karan Gambhir, Director of Global Trust and safety Partnerships at Google, mentioned in a blog post that the company is considering a new service fee model for subscriptions and in-app purchases related to real-money gaming. Although specific details about the fee structure remain undisclosed, Gambhir highlighted that Google is actively working with developers to design an approach that reflects the unique economics and diverse earning models within the real-money gaming industry.


Google's decision to expand its support for real-money gaming on the Play Store indicates the company's recognition of the evolving landscape of gaming preferences and the increasing popularity of real-money gaming applications. By adapting its policies to comply with local laws and refining its service fee model, Google aims to foster a sustainable ecosystem for Android and Play. Developers, in turn, stand to benefit from broader opportunities to publish and monetize their real-money gaming apps within the Play Store framework.