Google Expands Real-Money Gaming on Play Store With Revised Service Fees

Google has announced plans to support more real-money gaming (RMG) apps on the Google Play Store by allowing additional game types as long as they comply with local laws.

In a blog post, Google's Director of Global Trust and Safety Partnerships Karan Gambhir said the company will launch expanded RMG support for developers targeting users in India, Mexico and Brazil in June. It will provide new opportunities for developers while continuing to prioritize user safety.

Google is also extending the grace period for developers currently participating in its India and Mexico RMG pilot programs until June 30th, 2024, when the new policy takes effect. After this deadline, developers will be able to distribute RMG apps beyond daily fantasy sports (DFS) and rummy games as long as they abide by local regulations and Google's updated guidelines.

The search giant noted it has been conducting pilot programs since 2021 to determine how to best support more RMG operators and game types on the Play Store. This included pilots for daily fantasy sports and rummy apps in India and a DFS pilot in Mexico that is also being extended.

While Google did not provide many specifics, the company said it plans to evolve its service fee model for RMG apps to reflect Play Store's value better and help sustain the Android ecosystem. The company will share more details on the new policy and fees in the coming months.

It remains to be seen how developers respond to new service fees imposed on these apps as this sector faces issues like recent GST tax hikes in India.