Google this week reaffirmed its decision not to allow sports betting apps on the Play Store, the official app store for the Android system. Although the Brazilian government has regulated the sector, the company maintains its restriction policy.
Currently, only lottery apps linked to Caixa Econômica Federal and horse racing apps are allowed to operate on the platform.
According to the statement sent to the Estadão portal column, Google stated: “In Brazil, Google Play policies currently allow only a limited group of gambling apps, such as lottery apps published by Caixa Econômica Federal and horse racing apps. This policy remains unchanged. Any changes to our policies are carefully evaluated.”
Despite the ban on the Play Store, Android remains the most widely used operating system in the country. On the other hand, iPhone users, who use Apple’s iOS system, can also access betting apps. Apple, however, has not commented on the matter so far.
Betting sector challenges Google policy and seeks support from the Treasury
Companies in the sports betting sector, which have been authorized to operate in Brazil since the beginning of 2025, consider Google’s stance to be inconsistent.
According to the Estadão portal, a representative of the segment, interviewed on condition of anonymity, criticized the policy: “Google blocks betting applications in the official store, but allows the display of advertisements from these same sites in its search engine”.
With the advancement of regulation, the Brazilian Betting and Fantasy Sport Association (ABFS) approached the Ministry of Treasury this week to request formal support.
The entity argues that releasing the applications in official stores would help separate the legal market from the illegal one. “Users trust the legitimacy of the available applications, since stores can deactivate the proof of licensing,” argued the ABFS in the document submitted to the ministry. The Treasury, so far, has not commented.
The group also highlighted that allowing official apps in the Google and Apple stores would encourage safe user migration. In addition, it would reinforce trust in authorized operators, making it more difficult for irregular platforms to access them. Since the law was passed in December 2023, the betting sector has undergone significant changes.
In 2024, the Ministry of Treasury published detailed rules for the operation of the segment, which paved the way for the granting of official licenses. Even so, to date, the Play Store remains inaccessible to legal operators.