In response to a request from the local community, which has long expressed anger at the Android-maker for not allowing services on its store in the world’s second-largest market that it allows in many other parts of the world, Google plans to run a test to allow daily fantasy sports apps and rummy games on Play Store in India.
In order to allow the aforementioned apps on the Play Store in India, Google said that a one-year trial programme will begin on September 28. India-incorporated businesses who are interested in taking part in the pilot programme must submit an application, the company said on a support page.
Additionally, the business requests that during the experiment, these apps refrain from using Google Play billing for in-app purchases. It is unknown if the business permits fantasy gaming apps to use different payment methods for that. Google has been contacted for more information.
In a statement, a Google official said. “We are constantly exploring ways for local developers to build successful businesses and offer delightful experiences on Google Play. Through this pilot program, we are taking a measured approach that will help us collate learnings and retain an enjoyable and safe experience for our users,”.
The American giant has long maintained a tight ban against daily fantasy sports applications, in part because it thinks many new internet users are wasting money while trying to master the complexities of these services. Google has maintained such a strict stance against these types of apps that it recently temporarily removed the well-known app Paytm from its Play Store because the Indian fintech company was encouraging what Google considered to be gambling in the app.
Industry organisations that represent fantasy sports operators like Dream11 and Mobile Premier League have battled Google for years to accept their apps on Play Store, frequently challenging the legal validity of the company’s assumptions. Rummy games and fantasy sports are acceptable in most parts of India, however some states forbid them. In a decision from the previous year, the Supreme Court of India determined that fantasy sports were “games of skill” rather than gambling. As a result, the format is “legal,” the decision stated.
Games24x7’s co-founder and co-CEO, Bhavin Pandya, said. “I am thrilled with the announcement of Google Play’s pilot program to allow fantasy sports and rummy on the PlayStore. This could potentially be a game changer as the PlayStore has seen a 200% increase in active monthly users in India last year,”.
