App Store RejectionGuideline Google Play — Gambling — Real-Money Gambling Policy

Real-Money Gambling on Google Play Requires a License — And More

Gambling apps aren't banned on Google Play, but they're in one of the most heavily regulated categories. You need territorial licensing, approved country targeting, age verification, and explicit Google approval to distribute.

What Apple said

“Your app offers real-money gambling features but does not meet the requirements for gambling apps on Google Play. To distribute a gambling app, you must have a valid gambling license for the regions where you intend to distribute, implement proper age verification, and receive approval from Google Play before publishing.”

What this actually means

Google Play allows real-money gambling apps only in specific countries where gambling is legally regulated, only for developers who hold the required gambling license for those territories, and only after receiving explicit approval from Google. This is not a self-service process — you have to apply. Apps that appear to be gambling apps without this approval will be rejected.

What Apple needs to see

  • Valid gambling license(s) for each territory where you plan to distribute the app
  • App restricted to 18+ age rating with appropriate age verification implemented in the app
  • Only targeting countries where your license is valid using Play Console's country targeting settings
  • An approved application from Google's gambling app certification process before submitting
  1. 1Apply to Google's gambling app approval program — this is a prerequisite, not something you do after rejection
  2. 2Obtain gambling licenses for your target markets — this is a legal and regulatory process that takes significant time
  3. 3Restrict your app's Play Console availability to only the countries covered by your licenses
  4. 4Implement robust age verification in your app — age checkbox at signup is not sufficient, use identity verification
  5. 5Update your privacy policy at yourapp.baseterms.com/privacy and terms at yourapp.baseterms.com/terms to comply with gambling regulations in your target markets

While you're at it — Apple also requires these pages for every app.

Fix this rejection, then make sure you're covered on the compliance side too. Apple requires every app to link to a hosted Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Support page, and Data Deletion page. No link means another rejection — just for a different reason.

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Support Page
Data Deletion Page
Generate my compliance pages — $9

Common questions

My app uses virtual currency — is that considered real-money gambling?
Virtual currency (coins you can only use within the app, with no real-world cash value) is generally not considered gambling under most regulations. The line is crossed when virtual currency can be converted back to real money or used to win real-world prizes. If there's any real-money value pathway, gambling regulations may apply.
I'm only targeting the UK where gambling is regulated — do I still need Google's approval?
Yes. Even targeting a single regulated market still requires going through Google's gambling app approval process. Holding a UK Gambling Commission license is necessary but not sufficient — you also need Google's explicit approval to distribute on Play.
Can I have a free demo mode without licensing?
A 'social casino' or pure demo app with no real-money mechanics may be able to avoid the gambling policy, depending on implementation. The moment there's any real-money wagering, prizes, or pay-to-win mechanics with real value, the gambling policy kicks in. Be very careful about where this line is.