In August 2017, Google decided to relax its notoriously hard stance on iGaming by removing restrictions for operators and developers in Western Europe — mainly the U.K., France and Ireland. Finally, organizations operating within these territories were able to directly market their Android apps to target users in the Play store (and take advantage of the business development opportunities this brought), and mobile gamers on the Android platform could get their hands on the same exciting iGaming apps that iOS users have always had access.
It seemed like a win-win situation — the Play store would expand and Google would get an advertising revenue boost, gamers could access a wider range of apps, and the brands would gain more customers.
Leading iGaming brand PokerStars was among the first batch of organizations permitted to enter its real-money app in the U.K. Play store, no doubt gaining several new customers as a result. However, operators and mobile casino fans here in the United States, Canada and other European territories were told that they would have to wait before they could enjoy the same spoils as their British, French and Irish counterparts.
Although no timescale was given for any possible rollout of this new policy change from Google, Degree 53’s Andrew Daniels revealed that emails received from the online behemoth indicated that there would be the “possibility of further expansion…to new regions and countries” following a successful trial period.
So, one year on, what is the progress?
Well, none! As far as iGaming for Android goes in North America, the status is the same as it was last year. Extensive searches online have shown up nothing in the way of updates or follow-ups. According to Digital Fuel Marketing, a U.K.-based digital news site, a total of 245 casino, poker, sportsbook and online slots apps have been added to Google Play since last August, none of which can be played by Android users in the U.S. (who account for over 53 percent of the mobile market in North America). In fact, the closest that Google got to allowing iGaming apps into the U.S. Play store was three years ago when, under a “closed, limited pilot” scheme, a series of daily, fantasy sports apps were approved entry.
The United States’ legislation on digital casino gaming and sports wagers is complex; however, the UIGEA (1996) typically only applies to how and where online casino platforms process the actual financial transactions involved in playing these games. It doesn’t seek to policy the creation and distribution of gaming apps, which is why an array of poker apps and slots games can be found in the U.S. iTunes store. So, it’s only Google’s internal policies that are standing in the way.
iGaming is, of course, a hotly-debated topic with staunch support for both sides of the debate in regulatory bodies across the globe. Irrespective of this, however, the mobile gaming industry is expected to be worth a whopping $115 billion at the close of 2018, and iGaming contributes a significant amount to that sum. iPhone users have been able to download a wide variety of iGaming and real money apps to their devices for some years now, and for the sake of parity, it seems only fair to let Android devotees (above the legal gaming age, of course!) in on the fun.
2 comments On One Year on and Google’s No Closer to Relaxing Global iGaming Restrictions
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gamezone3d.commandohuntersnipershooter.fpssurvivalmission
Let’s become a commando shooter!
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Prove yourself as a great warrior and commando assassin in these commando front line challenges. Use your best sniper weapons with best shoot kill skill, this game is the real combination of sniper duel and army gunner shoot war games. Shoot with great modern weapons in this challenging battlefield to demolish all the criminals to rescue the city. You are assigned the tough duty and tough missions to accomplish as a commando sniper. If you are in search of sniper shooter games then this commando counter and commando shooting game is one of the best option for you to play. Show your stamina and great skills of modern commando and smooth shooting attacks towards your enemy gangs. Give a best shot to earn more cash, upgrade your weapons in store and buy next level weapons to proceed for further sniper hunter challenges. Play all the city sniper shooter criminal kill adventures in this deadly war. Enjoy the realistic 3D graphics and best audio effects.
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Be a commando counter of the history!
Play unlimited thrilling fights as a commando counter of all the times. For this commando adventure and sniper duel missions you would be given commando shooter guns and grenades. You are modern commando with all the sniper shooters to accomplish the army gunner shoot war. You are responsible for the demolish of criminal mafia in this deadly war to regain the peace of the city. Your military would be proud of you and grant you a title of commando sniper of the history. This commando adventure is actually a mission by your army to rescue the city from the rivals, if you love sniper shooter games then you must install this game with modified guns and weapons. Download this thrilling piece of adventure of shooting to amuse your spare time!
*key features*
Wide variety of weapons to shoot
Real guns and snipers to kill the enemies
Be a best sniper of the history
Assault with full force to save the city
Stunning 3D graphics and best audio effects
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.DimaTrubca.ColorDestroyer
Color Destroyer is a very simple and engaging game that tests your attention and passes your time in a very funny and exciting way.
Destroy the circles of the color persisting in the corresponding row. Don’t miss any circle and try to resist as long as you can.