Why Can’t I Download Betting Apps on Android?

Steven Hubbard
Steven Hubbard Published: 04/10/2023

One of the major trends in the world of betting these days is the rise of mobile gambling.

But many people are posing the same question: Why can't I download betting apps on Android?

On iOS, the process for downloading betting apps onto devices such as an iPhone or an iPad is quite straightforward, but people with Android phones like the Google Pixel may have issues.

Our full guide to downloading betting apps on Android has all the info you need, so read on.

How To Get Android Betting Apps on Your Device

In the recent past, betting apps were not permitted to be listed on the Play Store. What this means is that it could be very complicated to download Android betting apps due to Google's call.

Nevertheless, Google had a change of heart not too long back, which means that betting apps were made welcome on the Play Store interface, with many of them quickly being launched.

Android users previously had to download apk files from betting sites and find a roundabout way to install them on their devices, a process that was cumbersome and put a lot of people off.

Now, though, it is quick and easy to get Android betting apps on your device via Google Play.

Google changed its rules regarding Android betting apps in 2017, so it has now been quite a while since it has been a lot simpler for people to get Android betting apps onto their devices.

App developers were informed by Google that they would have to prove that they have a valid and applicable gambling licence for the UK to add their Android apps to the Play Store.

Other rules for Android apps on the Play Store include that they must be free to download.

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Step-by-Step Guide To Downloading Android Betting Apps

So what exactly do Android users have to do to get betting apps on to their device?

  1. Decide which Android betting app to use - check out our full bookie reviews first
  2. Open the Play Store on your chosen mobile device - either smartphone or tablet
  3. Use the search bar to find the betting app - for example Coral or Paddy Power
  4. Tap on the desired app and hit the green 'Install' button to start the download
  5. If you have multiple Android devices, pick the one you want to download it to
  6. It will proceed automatically, with the app downloading and installing itself
  7. When the app has finished downloading, it will appear in the device's list of apps
  8. Open the app and use your login details to get up and running with mobile betting

FAQs

There are a few reasons why people may be having problems downloading betting apps on Android, with the main one perhaps being they are simply looking for them in the wrong place. A fast Play Store search for 'betting' brings up a large range of Android betting apps to download.

It used to be the case that there were no betting apps on Android, which could lead to a lot of frustration for those who want to download software to make it faster to bet while on the go. However, after a change of policy at Google a while ago, there are now betting apps on Android.

The Google Play Store has a wide range of betting apps available to download, including from most of the top betting brands in the UK. Customers of companies such as Betfair, Bet365, Paddy Power, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, 888sport and BoyleSports can all get their apps.

Many of the Android betting apps that are available on the Play Store have received rave reviews, but the common consensus is that the top options come from major betting brands. Some of the best Android betting apps that are available on the Play Store at the moment are from William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfair, but new options are being launched all the time.

Steven is an experienced iGaming content writer who has been working in the industry since 2018. He is passionate about sports betting and enjoys writing about all aspects of the industry, including bookmaker reviews, betting tips and strategies, and news and analysis.