Google to allow gambling apps in Play store

Google officials announced Thursday that the company has removed a Play store ban on real-money gaming apps in 19 countries, including the U.S., Spain and Australia.

Following the announcement, DraftKings jumped as much as 6%, and Penn National as much as 4%. In Canada, theScore rose around 7%, Yahoo reports.

"We allow real-money gambling apps, ads related to real-money gambling, and daily fantasy sports apps that meet certain requirements," Google's support page now says.

Operators are required to have a valid gambling license in their state or country, and must prevent under-age people from using the app.

To be eligible, app makers must complete a gambling application form, comply with state and country laws where the app is being used and have a valid gambling license for each state or country it wants to operate in. These apps must be rated adult only and display information about responsible gambling.

Despite their exclusion from the official Google store, Android users can still use many of those apps today; it just requires an external download. Subsequent updates also require external downloads, which often come with security warnings. It’s an extra hurdle that has likely turned away some potential users.

The apps were already available on Apple’s App Store.

Gambling and betting apps are also available in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Sweden and the UK.