I'm in a bit of a dilemma

3absh

Hey guys,

I've been working on this app for quite a while now.

It's a bit of a farming/cooking/simulatedGambling game.

The game is aimed towards middle eastern Gulf countries which are known to be conservative.

| checked a few minutes ago and simulated gambling games are indeed banned in Saudi Arabia (not sure about other Gulf
countries though). Even websites that have these sort of games are banned.

Casino games are banned on Google Play but not on IOS for some reason, slot machine games are not banned on both IOS and Android.

There is no money to be earned in my game it's not real gambling (but game has IAP), and the layout of the games aren't similar to Casinos in terms of style and color.
Thing is I wanted to make sure the games do not resemble Casinos in any way.

Games included within my game are:
-Slots
-BlackJack
-mini Roulette

I'm also considering adding
-Street Dice
-Sic Bo (simplified using only 2 D4 dices)

So what do you guys think?

I'm thinking since Gambling games are allowed on IOS in the region that I should allow players to play these games on iPhone but not Android.

gingagaming

Gambling games are not banned on iOS. They are simply restricted to company accounts rather than individual accounts. So if you register a company in your own country and declare any earnings (if if that amount is zero) then Apple will allow your gambling/simulation of gambling game on the App Store. Or at least this is my understanding of the restriction. It maybe worth you just looking into it further.

3absh

I'm thinking of using a virtual currency that isn't coins (anything that isn't money related). Just to make it further away from gambling as possible.

3absh

Gambling games are not banned on iOS. They are simply restricted to company accounts rather than individual accounts.

Do you mean gambling games where real money can be won?
Or all gambling games including those that don't involve real money?

tatiang

According to Apple:

5.3 Gaming, Gambling, and Lotteries
Gambling, gaming, and lotteries can be tricky to manage and tend to be one of the most regulated offerings on the App Store. Only include this functionality if you’ve fully vetted your legal obligations everywhere you make your app available and are prepared for extra time during the review process. Some things to keep in mind:

5.3.1 Sweepstakes and contests must be sponsored by the developer of the app.

5.3.2 Official rules for sweepstakes, contests, and raffles must be presented in the app and make clear that Apple is not a sponsor or involved in the activity in any manner.

5.3.3 Apps may not use in-app purchase to purchase credit or currency for use in conjunction with real money gaming of any kind, and may not enable people to purchase lottery or raffle tickets or initiate fund transfers in the app.

5.3.4 Apps that offer real money gaming (e.g. sports betting, poker, casino games, horse racing) or lotteries must have necessary licensing and permissions in the locations where the App is used, must be geo-restricted to those locations, and must be free on the App Store. Illegal gambling aids, including card counters, are not permitted on the App Store. Lottery apps must have consideration, chance, and a prize.

Source: https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#gaming-gambling-and-lotteries

robertjackson

@tatiang said:
5.3 Gaming, Gambling, and Lotteries
Gambling, gaming, and lotteries can be tricky to manage and tend to be one of the most regulated offerings on the App Store. Only include this functionality if you’ve fully vetted your legal obligations everywhere you make your app available and are prepared for extra time during the review process. Some things to keep in mind:

5.3.1 Sweepstakes and contests must be sponsored by the developer of the app.

5.3.2 Official rules for sweepstakes, contests, and raffles must be presented in the app and make clear that Apple is not a sponsor or involved in the activity in any manner.

5.3.3 Apps may not use in-app purchase to purchase credit or currency for use in conjunction with real money gaming of any kind, and may not enable people to purchase lottery or raffle tickets or initiate fund transfers in the app.

5.3.4 Apps that offer real money gaming (e.g. sports betting, poker, casino games, horse racing) or lotteries must have necessary licensing and permissions in the locations where the App is used, must be geo-restricted to those locations, and must be free on the App Store. Illegal gambling aids, including card counters, are not permitted on the App Store. Lottery apps must have consideration, chance, and a prize.

Source: https://edubirdie.com/essay-editing-service

Thank you for the provided information. My friend was also thinking of creating an app with some gambling functions. But he wasn't sure if it's legal. I will share thi piece of information with him.