You may have heard that Apple extended the deadline for iOS developers to develop native apps for real money betting until the 3rd March 2020.

The new criteria for real money betting apps were announced back on the 3rd June.

“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.”

Of course Apple did not specify betting apps but it is well known that many bookmakers use HTML5 wrappers to allow their apps be put to market more quickly and cheaply than building a native app.

If you want to keep your betting app on the App Store you will need a native app. If you don’t update your tech you may see; a substantial drop in retention rates for iOS users, lose position in the App Store and provide a worse user experience than all of your competitors.

The initial native app deadline has been moved from September 3rd to the 3rd March. This gives you plenty of time to get your app in working order. However, we know this requires a large group of skilled developers. Many companies have neither the resources nor the time to provide that.

Requirements:

To put Apple’s update in simpler terms – any gambling app must develop an iOS-native app for listing on the App Store by the 3rd March.

Why are Apple pushing this now?

With competition increasing every day between Apple and other app providers, it’s important that Apple provide the best user experience. Native apps allow for better functionality and faster response times, which makes for an all-round better experience for the user.

Other commentators have speculated that this is something to do with the boon in online gambling in America.

It was noted by many that the initial deadline was set for just three days before the NFL season started. This could have been a cute ploy by Apple to get operators to sit-up and take notice. Apple have come down hard on gambling apps in the past and it seems as if they are future-proofing the US markets with the introduction of this new regulation.

Worldwide, iOS only holds 23% of the market but this number jumps to nearly 50% in the US. Therefore it’s crucial that gambling operators have their app 100% correct for the American market.

Challenges to Mobile Development

We know that there are a number of challenges facing operators when it comes to the development of native betting apps.

Time pressure is the main issue but take into account resources, game suppliers and multiple brands then things really start to build up.

A large team is required to undertake the building of a native betting app. We understand this. We can supply developers to augment your team or manage the build completely. Our team of iOS developers have worked on a whole host of gambling apps listed in Apple’s App Store. We have a versatile team who have the experience of building native apps for the App Store and the Android Store.

It is more common than ever that one gambling company has more than one brand. These companies will have to prioritise their brands and some may get left by the wayside. Again, you can contact us here at Code Factory Group if you would like to hear more about how we can augment your team.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about our Native App programmes and ensure your app is still in the App Store come the 4th of March 2020.

What we offer:

Code Factory Group has proven experience in the betting market. We understand the factors that create commercial success and fantastic user experiences. We can share the lessons in terms of what we have learned to develop strategies and applications that will deliver for your business.