Apple has passed new technical rules for gambling apps that could affect sites seeking iOS users.
The new rule states:
“HTML5 games distributed in apps may not provide access to real money gaming, lotteries, or charitable donations, and may not support digital commerce. This functionality is only appropriate for code that’s embedded in the binary and can be reviewed by Apple. This guideline is now enforced for new apps. Existing apps must follow this guideline by September 3, 2019.”
The rule means that companies who want to release a gambling app for iOS devices will have to develop a dedicated iOS-native app. Such apps are focused on a single device, which enhances their performance, but also increases their development time and cost.
That could affect smaller companies seeking to develop apps who will have to determine of its worth the expense to serve iOS users. That could also complicate the race to get out sports betting apps in several states which have recently launched or are about to launch legal sports betting, such as Pennsylvania.
The first real-money betting product launched in Pennsylvania by the Sugar House Casino was available for Android devices but not iOS. The casino said it has not launched an iOS app due to the rule changes.
The Apple deadline is notably just before the start of the NFL season.
Apple has shown it is willing to remove gambling apps form the Apple store on several previous casinos, especially if requested by international regulators.
