Google has paused its experiment to expand real-money games on the Play Store

Google has announced a global pause on its experiment aimed at allowing new types of real-money games on the Play Store. This decision stems from the challenges posed by the absence of a centralized authority to approve such apps in certain regions.

Earlier this year, Google had revealed plans to permit real-money apps more broadly starting in June, initially focusing on markets like India, Brazil, and Mexico. Notably, India had already been running a pilot program for fantasy sports and Rummy apps since 2022, while Mexico began a similar initiative in November 2023.

Despite these initiatives, Google has encountered complexities in expanding support for real-money gaming apps in regions lacking a centralized licensing framework. As a result, the company has opted to halt the rollout globally to ensure it can refine its approach to better support developer partners and prioritize user safety.

While the broader rollout is on hold, Google has clarified that apps already participating in the pilot program in India will continue to operate on the Play Store.

In a statement, a Google spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to assisting developers responsibly build new businesses and reach wider audiences across various content categories and genres on Google Play.