Which Countries Ban or Restrict iGaming Apps?

Publication date: 24 Jul 2025

Some countries prohibit or restrict iGaming apps due to legislative constraints stemming from religious, cultural norms, or concerns over gambling addiction and financial risks. On 3S.INFO, let’s examine where exactly such restrictions apply and what options exist for betting and gambling. 

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• What is ASO and why does it matter for media buyers? For a detailed explanation of ASO setup and utilization, read our comprehensive guide: How to Work with ASO in Betting and Gambling: Full Guide for Media Buyers 2025.

Which App Stores Impose Restrictions on Betting and Gambling Apps, and Why? 

Google Play: Officially doesn’t accept gambling and betting apps for most countries. Placement is allowed only in GEOs with legalized gambling, subject to prior approval and license verification. 

App Store: Also restricts gambling apps in some countries, permitting only licensed gambling (e.g., in Europe and UK, only licensed operators are allowed).

Countries Completely Banning Apps in Google Play and App Store 

Google Play and App Store enforce global policies prohibiting real-money gambling apps. However, individual countries may impose specific restrictions or outright bans on accessing stores and apps in accordance with their local laws.

1. Russia and Belarus: Google Play and App Store completely restrict publishing new iGaming apps from Russia (including due to sanctions). Existing apps are often removed upon suspicion of violations. Betting and gambling apps for Russian and Belarusian GEOs are nearly always banned, even if published through third-party accounts, making direct publication and monetization practically impossible.
2. Iran: Google Play is unavailable, and App Store is officially blocked. Any gambling apps, including simulators, are strictly prohibited. Third-party Iranian app stores are an option but largely inefficient.
3. North Korea, Myanmar, Sudan, and South Sudan: Google Play and App Store are entirely inaccessible, making publishing betting and gambling apps impossible. 
4. Syria: Under sanctions from the US and EU, resulting in no official access to app stores.
5. Cuba: Google Play and App Store are closed for local developers and users.

Countries with Restrictions on iGaming App Distribution 

1. China: Official Google Play is blocked. App Store is heavily censored. Any casino, poker, slots, or betting apps result in immediate bans. Even simulator apps are often removed for provoking gambling.
2. India: Google Play prohibits placing any real-money gambling apps. App Store permits only licensed apps meeting strict criteria and only in specific states where gambling is legal. 
3. Turkey: Google Play and App Store ban all real-money gambling apps. Publishing such apps could result not only in account suspension but also in sanctions affecting other apps by the same publisher.
4. Indonesia: Absolute ban on all gambling apps, including simulators, regardless of the absence of real prizes. 
5. United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman: All gambling apps are banned. App Store and Google Play actively monitor and remove even peripheral gambling-related apps (e.g., prediction/ranking apps).
6. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan: Gambling and its promotion are illegal, enforced by store policies. 
7. USA: Some states allow only licensed betting apps (state license required). Others prohibit gambling entirely. Google Play started accepting gambling apps only in selected states and exclusively for official operators.
8. Israel: All gambling apps are prohibited. 

How to Publish iGaming Apps: Tips for Media Buyers 

• Using Schemes: Possible publication through foreign accounts/business entities, but the risk of account bans is extremely high. 
• Hybrid Apps: Many affiliates opt for “hybrid” apps (simulators, aggregators, ratings, statistical apps, etc.) to bypass automatic moderation. 
• Local App Stores: For example, when targeting China, local app stores like Huawei AppGallery, Tencent MyApp, Xiaomi, etc., are used. However, gambling is strictly prohibited even in these stores.
  

Here’s how media buyers and developers circumvent restrictions to promote and publish gambling and betting apps in countries with bans or tight regulations. These methods carry risks of account bans but can yield results in practice.

Important Notes!  All workarounds provide only temporary effects. There’s always a risk of getting banned or losing your account.

• Don’t concentrate all traffic on one project: Always have a Plan B ready.
  
• Do not violate GDPR/PCI DSS policies: Otherwise, you may face not only bans but also serious legal consequences.