Google Play real-money gambling, games, and contests policy: fixes and checks

By The Draftbit team · Updated
Sources checked

This guide is for Google Play apps with monetary stakes, prizes, gambling advertising, fantasy sports, or gamified loyalty rewards.

A cash-prize feature can trigger Google’s gambling rules even if you call it a contest. The policy separates approved gambling products, other real-money games, loyalty programs, advertising, and daily fantasy sports.

Map the value moving through the app

List what people pay, what they stake, how outcomes are decided, and what prizes they receive. Include purchased virtual items and rewards with real-world value. We’d have a qualified adviser assess the model and locations before changing the payment flow.

Use the correct category below

Some models require Google’s application process and licensing; others are prohibited. Loyalty programs have separate conditions for games and non-games, and gambling ads have restrictions on the host app too.

Test the actual entry, payment, reward, age, and location flows in a safe setup. Give Google the model, approvals, and corrected behavior. A payment-provider change or adult rating doesn’t establish eligibility on its own.

Messages this guide can help with

Real-money gambling, games, and contests; Real-money gambling, games, and contests policy violation; Real-money gambling, games, and contests rejection; Real-money gambling, games, and contests denied

Official sources

We checked these instructions against the sources below. The console layout may change, and your review decision may call for different steps.

Your next stepSubmit a Google Play release with working review access