Sports tipsters & Betting

While the debate about the countries' gambling treaty, which will come into force in 2021, is in full swing, the American search engine provider Google seems to be seizing the opportunity and has announced that it will also distribute gambling apps via its in-house app store in Germany from March onwards to allow. This is surprising because up until now these have been strictly prohibited.

Real money gambling apps

Gambling apps that allow you to bet for real money have been banned for a while in the Google app store . Only so-called online casinos were tolerated, where you can deposit but not withdraw money and only play with virtual currencies. Together with Germany, the range of gaming apps is to be expanded in the USA, Japan, Denmark and Spain as well as 9 other countries from March onwards .

In terms of gaming apps, Google basically distinguishes four categories: online casinos, lottery apps, sports betting and fantasy sports. According to the new guidelines, both lottery apps and sports betting should then be allowed. Online casinos and fantasy sports are still prohibited categories. In order to create a fair environment for consumers, Google has assured that it will control apps from these categories far more thoroughly in the future and subject them to a strict test procedure.

Country-specific requirements

In its reorganization, Google adheres to country-specific requirements and pays attention to local conditions. That is why it was only now, shortly before the introduction of state gambling regulation, that the decision was made to take this step. It is not known how Google will deal with lottery apps in the future, because our “ 6 out of 49 ” and most of the other lotteries are subject to the state lottery monopoly, so that a release here could be difficult.

Incidentally, this also applies to many other countries. Not least for the USA, where not a single country but 50 partly very different states have to be taken into account, all of which do their own thing. In addition, there are countries in which all gambling is administered by the state and there are also those that get by without any regulation. It is important to Google that there are state licenses in each country and that the apps comply with all applicable laws. In addition, gambling apps may under no circumstances be offered for a fee.

Criticism from consumer advocates

Google has recently had to listen to harsh criticism from consumer advocates . Not least because a few apps are already offered that work in a similar way to casinos or have elements of them. The so-called “ loot boxes ” are mentioned again and again . This is a kind of container that you have to buy for real money and that contains items of different rarity levels with corresponding probabilities. As with a lottery, you buy a kind of “ ticket ” for a chance of winning, which is played out when you open the box.

Conclusion

For Google, offering gambling apps could become a lucrative business . After all, the provider receives a commission on all purchases made with or through the app. It's also good that all apps are carefully checked before they are discontinued. But whether this is also morally justifiable, because it is very easy to enter the store even as a minor, the group will have to decide for itself in the last instance.