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What do Apple and Google require of casino apps?
Both stores tie real-money apps to licensing and location. These rules are taken from their published policies.
| Requirement | Apple App Store | Google Play |
|---|---|---|
| License | Necessary licensing and permissions where the app is used | A valid gambling license for each country, state or territory of distribution |
| Location | Must be geo-restricted to those locations | Must block access from areas not covered |
| Price | Must be free on the App Store | Must be free to download and install |
| Buying credit | No in-app purchase for real-money gaming credit or currency | Cannot use Google Play In-app Billing |
| Other | Should be submitted by a legal entity, not an individual developer | Must block under-age users, and the developer must complete an application process |
Why will a casino app not work outside its state?
The state license stops at the state line. Federal law treats a licensed online bet as outside its definition of unlawful internet gambling when the bet is made entirely within one state that authorizes it, with age and location checks required. So the app has to confirm where you are, whatever state you live in or downloaded it from. See licensed online casinos for the seven states.
Is a casino app the same as the casino website?
A casino app sits under the same license as the website, but regulators can authorize each one separately. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board lists websites and mobile apps with their own start dates. Fanatics Casino, for example, shows a mobile app start of March 26, 2025 and a website start of May 22, 2025.
How do you check a casino app before you download it?
Take these steps before you deposit:
- Find the brand on your state regulator's list.
- Confirm that the app's name and publisher match that brand.
- Download it from the App Store or Google Play, not from a link on a review site.
- Be wary of an app or website offering real-money play in a state without licensed online casinos.
- Set your limits early. See responsible gambling.
Do offshore casinos have apps?
Store rules make it hard for them to qualify, because both Apple and Google require licensing where the app is used. An offshore site offered through a browser or a direct download has not been through those store checks, and no US state checks it. See offshore casinos for the risks.
What are the rules in your state?
Each state sets its own online casino rules. Pick a state to see its status, its regulator and the date we last checked it.
Read next: New casinos
Sources
Checked November 5, 2026. Regulator rules were read through the sources listed, and they can change. How we research.