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Does Google allow real money payouts? App owner>>user

A

Androioi

Lurker
Hi all

I am looking to invest into purchasing a few apps from Flipper and interested in a slots game and a win dollars games.

I want to know if Google allows real money payouts as the win dollars game is a simple spin the wheel to win credits, once a specific number of credits has been won the user can exchange credits for dollars, minimum $100 to their PayPal. Is this allowed?
As I have two developers saying contradictory things, one says yes and the other says no, that app will be banned. Who is right?

These apps are not cheap so want to make sure before committing to buy.

Also, with regards to the slots game, revenue is created via admob. As this is run by Google should all the ads be allowable ads?
I just read about some ads that are prohibited when relating to casino content, and as slots is a casino game I assume a lot of the ads generated are going to be casino related.

I am not an app developer, just an app investor. Any help appreciated.

Thanks
 
codesplice said:
As I read it, no:


https://play.google.com/about/restr...#!?zippy_activeEl=gambling-apps#gambling-apps
Click to expand...
codesplice said:
As I read it, no:


https://play.google.com/about/restr...#!?zippy_activeEl=gambling-apps#gambling-apps
Click to expand...

Thanks codesplice,

I'm in the UK so it looks doable with the right licence. But I don't think it constitutes as gambling as such, as users don't risk any money. Revenue is created through ads, and money is only paid out (once enough tokens have been won), no money is received from a user.

The app is available from Google play now, called "Earn Dollars On Spin".

Reading though Google plays terms I think it's closest monetization example in there would be peer to peer payments, as it would be e.g. payment from my PayPal to users PayPal.
It's a tricky one. I see other apps on the app store that offer real money payouts so I'm not sure.
 
codesplice said:
As I read it, no:

"For all other locations, we don't allow content or services that facilitate online gambling, including, but not limited to, online casinos, sports betting and lotteries, and games of skill that offer prizes of cash or other real world value."

https://play.google.com/about/restr...#!?zippy_activeEl=gambling-apps#gambling-apps
Click to expand...
This is very interesting. It specifically mentions online casinos. My live-in helper plays a slots game that awards very real prizes, such as free stays at upscale Las Vegas hotels--like the Bellagio. :o

I wonder how they get away with it.
 
MoodyBlues said:
This is very interesting. It specifically mentions online casinos. My live-in helper plays a slots game that awards very real prizes, such as free stays at upscale Las Vegas hotels--like the Bellagio. :eek:

I wonder how they get away with it.
Click to expand...

Is that an app that came from Google Play or somewhere else, or is it a website game that's played in the browser?
 
MoodyBlues said:
This is very interesting. It specifically mentions online casinos. My live-in helper plays a slots game that awards very real prizes, such as free stays at upscale Las Vegas hotels--like the Bellagio. :eek:

I wonder how they get away with it.
Click to expand...

Do user pay real money to participate? I'm guessing that maybe that's the different between game/gambling, if a user pays to play it is gambling because they are risking there own money, but if they can participate for free but still win prizes/real money then it falls into the category of a game.

Don't quote me on that, I'm just guessing. Would love to find out the specifics for sure.
 
Androioi said:
Do user pay real money to participate? I'm guessing that maybe that's the different between game/gambling, if a user pays to play it is gambling because they are risking there own money, but if they can participate for free but still win prizes/real money then it falls into the category of a game.

Don't quote me on that, I'm just guessing. Would love to find out the specifics for sure.
Click to expand...
I installed it, but didn't register (or 'connect with facebook' since I don't do fb :rolleyes:). As Guest, I could play for free, but it has in-app purchases--ranging up to $100! I didn't go on long enough to see what happens next if you're not buying anything.
 
codesplice said:
May want to also check out the AdMob terms:
https://support.google.com/admob/answer/7313578

Rewarded ads must not be placed in apps that offer, as a reward or otherwise, monetary compensation or offers that can be converted into monetary compensation (including gift cards, discounts for physical goods or services, and cryptocurrencies).
Click to expand...

This is interesting, thanks for the share.

As the OP'er, I just checked the app in question and found they are using Unity Ads. Unfortunately their terms of service isn't layed out nice n clearly like Admob, and it's 5:15am here... too much for my brain to pick through right now lol. But possibly a way round the real money payouts issue?
 
Quickly looking on the app store and I see loads of apps that let you win money, always dollars for some reason, for playing games and that get their revenue from ads.
A lot are aimed at students.
 
Yeah, I'm seeing a lot of them too so clearly it is possible to publish such apps. I'd just be especially careful to review any and all relevant policies to make sure it doesn't get surprise blacklisted in the future.

(And, if I'm entirely blunt, there are already plenty of scammy "look at my ads so I can get revenue and maybe I'll share some of it with random users" apps. I guess it works, but it's a pretty shady business practice in my opinion. I wouldn't want to bank on that sort of behavior for any sort of return on investment.)
 
Ye I'll agree with you there, that there are too many of these crapy apps more focused on ad revenue than delivering quality content to the user.
After testing a few of these apps myself I've kind gone off the idea, as it would take a especially desperate kind of person to actually see one of those games through to actually receving a pay out.

I've been browsing source code market places where there is much better quality apps... at a fraction of the price of Flippa. I see now that place is mainly just full of resellers trying to make a quick buck, than actual talented developers. No offence to anyone lol.

I can't get my head round why people actually do in-app purchases, I've spent years hunting everything for free lol. But people do, so I'll try and create/find something worth paying for.
 
Androioi said:
I can't get my head round why people actually do in-app purchases, I've spent years hunting everything for free lol.
Click to expand...
I can tell you why I do it! :)

For one thing, I don't do ads. Not on TV (that's what DVRs are for--skipping ads!), not in my web browsers, and not in programs I use.

Then there's my desire to give talented developers a pat on the back for a job well done. I think they're entitled to be rewarded monetarily for the time, creativity, knowledge and effort they put into a great app.

Combined, that means I only use paid apps.

If there's a free version that lets me get its overall feel, and see the additional features available in the paid version, I either pay or uninstall depending on whether I like it. If there's only a paid version, I buy it, give it a quick run-through, and uninstall it within the allotted time if I don't like it.

The only exceptions--and they're few and far between--are free apps, like the Candy Crush games, that have in-app purchases in lieu of ads, and apps that don't have a paid version. Apps in that last category have to be REALLY awesome! And not have ads.
 
mikedt said:
I know UK betting and gambling companies like Ladbrokes and Betfred don't have any of their apps on Google Play, even though online betting and gambling is legal in the UK.
Click to expand...
They should be legal if they have all the permits and papers to operate.
 
MoodyBlues said:
I can tell you why I do it! :)

For one thing, I don't do ads. Not on TV (that's what DVRs are for--skipping ads!), not in my web browsers, and not in programs I use.

Then there's my desire to give talented developers a pat on the back for a job well done. I think they're entitled to be rewarded monetarily for the time, creativity, knowledge and effort they put into a great app.

Combined, that means I only use paid apps.

If there's a free version that lets me get its overall feel, and see the additional features available in the paid version, I either pay or uninstall depending on whether I like it. If there's only a paid version, I buy it, give it a quick run-through, and uninstall it within the allotted time if I don't like it.

The only exceptions--and they're few and far between--are free apps, like the Candy Crush games, that have in-app purchases in lieu of ads, and apps that don't have a paid version. Apps in that last category have to be REALLY awesome! And not have ads.
Click to expand...

Thanks for you input, it's good to hear and have an understanding from a different perspective. Appreciated.
 
I can assume that you need to contact Google directly in order to clarify this information. The exact answer can only be given there!
 
The best way to get rich quick is to get rich slow.

Every middle & high school student needs to learn this chart so well that they can explain it to anyone and everyone.

At age 19, Ben starts investing 2,000 dollars a year (167/month) in a balance of growth, growth & income, aggressive growth and global mutual funds, all of which average 13% annual return. He never misses a month. Dividends are automatically reinvested. He does this for only 8 years and stops... never adding in another dime, but letting compound interest work for him over time.

At age 19, Arthur laughs at Ben and spends his money on partying and enjoying life. Eight years later, Arthur realizes he'd better finally get serious about investing for retirement. He invests 2,000 dollars a year for the rest of his working life... and NEVER CATCHES UP with Ben! Why? Because Ben got that compound interest snowball rolling downhill early.

If our young people understand this chart, apply it to their lives, and invest consistently over 8 or 10 years, it will change our world FOREVER in the decades to come.

Ben&Arthur.jpg
 
The assumption of 13% pa average return is more than a tad optimistic - I'd like to see the same chart for a variety of possible returns from ~2.5% up.
 
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