Google Play Cracks Down on Real-Money Gaming Apps with Whitelist Regulations

Google Play has implemented strict regulations for real-money gaming apps on Android. Unlike other categories, which rely on self-declaration and automated checks, regulated sectors like online gaming require developers to meet pre-submission requirements.

These include proof of an active government license in the target country, age-gating to restrict access to minors, and technical barriers that block usage outside approved borders. For real-money gaming, Google defers its publishing permission to a third-party national regulator, operating a whitelist of approved jurisdictions.

Romania is an example of how this whitelist works. The country sits on Google's approved list, allowing operators holding a Class I permit to publish native Android software. Developers must integrate IP-based blocking or network-level location APIs to ensure the app rejects connections originating outside the approved jurisdiction.