Android users in Pennsylvania have another sportsbook option at the Google Play Store.
BetMGM online sportsbook and BetMGM online casino are now available.
Google updated its policies on March 1 to allow gambling apps onto the Google Play Store. BetMGM customers can now find:
- Online casinos
- Sportsbook apps
- iLottery
- Daily Fantasy sports
DraftKings sportsbook and online casino on March 9th announced its arrival at the Google Play Store. A day later, FanDuel sportsbook and online casino was ready for download for Android users. A BetMGM poker app should be available in PA in the coming weeks.
How to get BetMGM and other sports betting apps in the Google Store
There are 13 online sportsbooks and 12 online casinos available in Pennsylvania.
If you want to download a sports betting app from the Google Play store, there are a few things to know.
Beware of bad actors: The easiest way to spot an imposter is to check the developer’s name (the name in green below the app title) before downloading. For example, a legit BetMGM app will list MGM as its developer.
To download BetMGM online casino and BetMGM online sportsbook from the Google Play Store:
- Go to the Google Play Store
- Type BetMGM Sportsbook or BetMGM Casino
- Click Install
Bad actors abound at first in Google Play Store
After long-standing rules barring gambling apps from the Google Play Store, Google changed its policies. When it went into effect, a few bad actors appeared.
On March 10, PlayMichigan reported that two different apps in the store claiming to be the BetMGM Sportsbook app were actually downloads of an unregulated sportsbook app. MyBookie is an offshore sportsbook that accepts American bettors, but it is not legally permitted.
Also, they aren’t the only “poser.”
The apps pictured above appear as one of the first results for Fox Bet and FanDuel. But they are definitely not the real deal.
GooglePlay Store requirements for gambling apps
To get a place in the Google Play store, a developer must have a valid gambling license for each country or state where the app is offered. Also, developers in the 15 countries new to the Google Play store have a list of conditions to meet, and a number of them deal with responsible gaming.
Eligible apps must meet the following requirements:
- Developer must successfully complete the application process in order to distribute the app on Google Play.
- App must comply with all applicable laws and industry standards for each country.
- Developer must have a valid gambling license for each country or state/territory.
- Developer must not offer a type of gambling product that exceeds the scope of its gambling license.
- App must prevent underage users from using it.
- App must prevent access and use from countries, states/territories or geographic areas not covered by the developer-provided gambling license.
- The app must NOT be purchasable as a paid app on Google Play, nor use Google Play In-app Billing.
- Free to download and install from the store.
- Rated AO (Adult Only) or IARC equivalent.
- Clearly display information about responsible gambling.
Operators, Android users benefit from addition
For Android users, gambling apps available to download at the Google Play Store makes the process much more streamlined. How important is the presence of an easily accessible app for mobile users? Think about when was the last time you typed www.facebook.com or www.twitter.com into the search engine on your phone.
Google’s policy update will no doubt lead to increased activations. No official data on number of activations is available as operators usually keep that under wraps.
Alex Weldon from Online Poker Report recently wrote:
“The lifetime value of an online casino customer is, for many companies, upwards of $1000. However, the cost per acquisition – consisting of ads and marketing, affiliate fees and bonuses to the user – is often 30% to 50% of that, i.e. many hundreds of dollars. To lose even a small percentage of potential signups due to difficulties installing the app is therefore immensely costly. Only the companies themselves have access to the relative customer conversion rates for iOS and Android. However, it’s probably safe to assume that this has been a significant thorn in the industry’s side.”
DraftKings sportsbook app and online casino debuted at the Google Play Store on March 9. In the past month, DraftKings ($DKNG) has seen its share price increase 13.74%.
On March 24, Wall Street 24/7 reported:
“DraftKings Inc. was reiterated by Goldman Sachs at Buy and its price target was raised to $87 from $79. The stock traded near $71 on Tuesday, in a 52-week range of $11.37 to $74.38. It has a consensus price target of $73.09.”
Big March so far for BetMGM
Seamus Magee, Sports Trader at BetMGM, described the first weekend of the 2021 NCAA Tournament as “extraordinary” for the sportsbook.
“The sportsbook had a great first weekend in the NCAA tournament. Illinois being knocked out in the second round was a big win for BetMGM, as the Illini were the book’s biggest futures liability. Handle on the first day was extraordinary and we saw significant action throughout the weekend. Illinois and Ohio State losing outright were the two best individual results for the books.”
On the upcoming Sweet 16 this weekend he said:
“After a solid opening weekend where the sportsbook saw significant action, BetMGM customers are already wagering strongly on the Sweet 16 matchups. With some great matchups and storylines, we expect another busy weekend in the sportsbook.”
BetMGM was a latecomer to the sports betting scene in Pennsylvania. The sportsbook app launched in December 2020 through its partnership with Hollywood Casino Morgantown.
In February 2021, in its second full month, BetMGM had a handle of $33.7 million and revenue of $199K. They ranked fourth out of the state’s twelve online sportsbooks in amount of money bet.
