Google Play Store Includes Real-Money Games and Yet Doesn’t: All About the Latest Situation

The presence of real-money games like rummy and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) in the Google Play Store has been the subject of quite a few twists and turns in recent years. Google is quite clear about the exclusion of apps that promote violence or hatred against specific groups or individuals. But when it comes to real-money games, its stance has been somewhat uncertain.

Gamers are often left bemused to find one Indian rummy app on the Play Store and another app conspicuously missing. And this is not limited to India alone. The shadow play between Play Store and real-money games continues to unfold. Here’s the latest look at it.

Where Google Stands on Real-Money Games

Since 28 September 2022, the Google Play Store has been running a pilot programmes to distribute DFS and rummy games in India. The program is supposed to run for a limited period and will include only those apps that have been developed by developers incorporated in India. Originally set to run for a year, Google extended the grace period of the program till 30 June 2024. It was applicable only to all the existing rummy and DFS apps.

In January 2024, Google announced that it would formally open the Play Store for all real-money game apps. However, later in June, Google decided that it would not go ahead with its announcement to include more real-money game apps in its Play Store.

As far as their pilot program was concerned, it was extended indefinitely from its revised deadline of 30 June 2024. Existing apps on the platform can continue, subject to their compliance with Google terms and conditions.

For real-money game enthusiasts, it is also important to understand why Google is struggling with certainty when it comes to hosting Indian rummy and DFS games.

The Play Store Conundrum

For Google, the key concern is the absence of a central licensing framework in some countries, including India. While India galloped its way to becoming the second-largest gaming market in the world, the legal framework around gaming is fragmented.

Most industry watchers strongly believe that a centralised framework is only fair, given the economic importance of the industry. There is a growing opinion that a regulatory body overseeing the online gaming ecosystem, ensuring compliance and safeguarding the 500+ million gamers is the need of the hour.

Currently, the Online Gaming Rules of India mandate self-regulatory bodies to implement frameworks that protect gamers. From the central government’s perspective, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) remains the nodal authority for online gaming in India.

Another challenge pointed out by Google were the complexities involved in the development of an appropriate monetisation model. The company, however, expressed its commitment to supporting game developers in India through different content types and genres.

Apart from India, Google stands on similar grounds in countries like Mexico and Brazil.

What it Means for RMGs

It is noteworthy that the Apple App Store allows real-money games on its platform. With most apps compatible with iOS and Android devices, the inability to onboard gamers on the Android platform becomes a challenge for these gaming apps.

To circumvent the Play Store impasse, game developers kept a presence on brand-specific platforms like the Samsung Galaxy Store. Android users can also download the APK file of the game, thus bypassing the Play Store completely.

If Google opens its Play Store doors, it is a win-win for all parties involved. For the RMGs, it becomes easier to onboard Android-based gamers. This will lead to higher footfall and all the financial gains that it brings. It's good news for Google too, as it will receive service fees and increased search revenue.

Think of some of the leading real-money game markets in the world, and countries like the US, India, Mexico and Brazil come to mind. It is precisely for this reason that Google has chosen to run its pilot program in these types of big markets.

Other Considerations for Developers

Any positive development in this regard would mean Google opening to new real-money games in these countries, including India. For the new real-money gaming apps, the first requirement would be to adhere to Google’s developer policies and requirements. These include requirements like age-gating, geo-gating and messaging guardrails. If and when the Play Store opens up, apps must avoid the irony of falling short of Google’s policy requirements.

Real-money gaming is a growing industry, and supporting such apps on the Play Store is a lucrative prospect for Google. While taking up residency in the Play Store, these apps should be prepared to live with Google’s evolving fee structure.

The Next Step

Considering the size of the market and the customer base, it is likely that the industry stakeholders will look for steps to open the official Android shop in India. The government has already identified MeitY as the overlooking ministry and set up an inter-ministerial task force to decide the next course of action. With a few more steps in the right direction, we may see real-money games making a real presence in the Google Play Store.