ONLINE NEWS
Google Play adds gambling apps G
ambling apps are set to become available through Google Play in the UK and some other markets later this year as the marketplace that serves
millions of Android users worldwide is to end its restrictions in the UK, France and Ireland. Previously, gaming sites have only been able to offer their mobile app via their own or third-party channels. That has been restrictive for gambling operators, who, in an era of mobile growth, have not been able to promote their services through the main download platform for Android, which holds nearly 50 per cent market share across handheld devices in the UK. The Google Play correspondence was reported by UK- based tech company Degree 53, which provides app development services to companies such as BetFred. According to Andrew Daniels, Degree53’s managing director, Google said: “From the beginning of August
William Hill Australia
2017, Google will accept applications for the distribution of gambling apps within the Play store in the UK, France and the Republic of Ireland. At a later date, this policy change may be expanded to new regions and countries.” Daniels added: “Upon submission, developers will be
required to provide documentation for the apps, including licences for the countries they’re looking to target. This process will likely be similar to Apple’s, taking slightly longer to approve to make sure everything is done correctly and legally. This is a huge opportunity for gaming operators to grow their Android app portfolio and user base.” At present Google Play’s terms and conditions still says: “We don’t allow content or services that facilitate online gambling, including but not limited to, online casinos, sports betting, lotteries, or games of skill that offer prizes of cash or other value.”
W launches lottery
illiam Hill Australia has joined forces with Lottoland to roll out an
integrated platform that allows customers to bet on the world’s leading lottery draws. The company said that ‘William Hill Planet Lottery’ represents a “category first partnership” for corporate bookies, adding that the new platform will be available to access via desktop mobile or tablet. William Hill also said all winning bets will be guaranteed by Lottoland.
Lottoland has been the subject of debate in the UK in recent months over the legality of selling bets on lottery draws. The UK government recently undertook a consultation into whether secondary lottery providers should be allowed to take wagers on the outcome of draws. Lottoland previously engaged in a war of words with Camelot over its decision to freeze EuroMillions bets at £2 when the UK monopoly lottery operator moved to increase the price of a regular ticket to £2.50.
China to block gambling sites O
verseas gambling sites will be blocked in China by next year after state- run telecoms operators were told to begin cracking down on virtual private networks (VPN).
Earlier this year, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced that all VPN services would need to obtain government approval, as part of a “clean up” of unauthorised internet connections. VPNs can be used to access banned sites, with many Chinese citizens able to visit news sites, social media services like Facebook and Twitter and
gambling platforms. According to Bloomberg, the Chinese government has now said action must be taken by February 1. Last year, Bet365, the world’s largest igaming firm, reported it is not operating illegally in China in response to accusations made against the company by anonymous short seller Spotlight Research. In a statement, Bet365 said the note was “self-serving, misleading and inaccurate”, adding that as it does not have an operational base in China, it is not breaking any of the country’s laws related to gambling. The note alleged that Bet365 is running a gambling website catering to Chinese customers and that this would likely be considered illegal and could be used to evade Chinese capital controls.
46 AUGUST 2017
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