Google has announced its plans to expand support for real-money games on the Play Store this year, allowing for a wider range of games that adhere to local laws.
The company will begin the extended program in India, Brazil, and Mexico in June, with plans to launch in more countries in the future.
Along with this announcement, Google is also considering implementing a new service fee model for subscriptions and in-app purchases. However, specifics about the fee have not yet been disclosed.
“With this policy update, we will also be evolving our service fee model for RMG to reflect the value Google Play provides and to help sustain the Android and Play ecosystems. We are working closely with developers to ensure our new approach reflects the unique economics and various developer earning models of this industry,” said Karan Gambhir, Director of Global Trust and Safety Partnerships at Google in a blog post.
Last year, Google initiated a pilot program in India to allow for fantasy sports and Rummy apps on the local Play Store. This year, the company will be expanding this pilot program until June 30, with regulations in place for age and ID verification. Similarly, a pilot program was also launched in Mexico last November, which will now also be extended until June 30.
After this extension, developers will be able to publish their real-money gaming apps on the Play Store, beyond just fantasy sports categories. Google initially began working on incorporating real-money gaming apps onto the Play Store in 2021, and this expansion is just the beginning of what’s to come.
