Google<\/strong> this week reaffirmed its decision not to allow sports betting <\/a>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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, only lottery<\/a> apps linked to Caixa Econ\u00f4mica Federal<\/a> and horse racing apps are allowed to operate on the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the statement sent to the Estad\u00e3o portal column, Google stated<\/strong>: \u201cIn Brazil, Google Play policies currently allow only a limited group of gambling apps, such as lottery<\/a> apps published by Caixa Econ\u00f4mica Federal and horse racing apps. This policy remains unchanged. Any changes to our policies are carefully evaluated.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Betting sector challenges Google policy and seeks support from the Treasury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Companies in the sports betting <\/a>sector, which have been authorized to operate in Brazil since the beginning of 2025, consider Google’s stance to be inconsistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Estad\u00e3o portal, a representative of the segment, interviewed on condition of anonymity, criticized the policy<\/strong>: \u201cGoogle blocks betting applications in the official store, but allows the display of advertisements from these same sites in its search engine\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n