The Apple App Store policies have received another refresh recently, and it could cause problems for gambling and gaming apps.
The rules, which have just come into the public domain, say that certain categories of apps (and only some categories) cannot use HTML5 code. This rule seems to go against the majority of the internet, where HTML5 is now the de-facto standard for building and designing websites. Coding in HTML5 also means that you can code once and, by embedding into apps, you need not do it all over again. However, the new Apple rules state that online gambling apps cannot use embedded HTML5 code.
Instead, these apps must now only use native iOS code. To make matters even more complicated, this code must be pre-approved by Apple before any of these apps appear in the on-board Apple store.
This will no doubt cause a number of issues for online casino and gambling operators. They already operate in a very competitive market, with several competitors offering aussie slot machines, blackjack games, poker and roulette games. All compete against each other, trying to out-do each offering with additional graphics, sound and gameplay.
It’s a problem across the world, and a developer working on online casino australia apps told us that their HTML5 is normalled “wrapped” into an iOS shell for quick deployment out to customers. These developers tend to develop “white box” solutions which are branded by several different partner sites. Their code runs the underlying games within the HTML5 code, with the partners then adding their own graphics and branding over the top via the app itself. Virtually all online-gambling operators have operated this way with the iPhone
However, last week the Apple update below was spotted in new store requirements…
Guideline 4.7. 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. This guideline is now enforced for new apps. Existing apps must follow this guideline by September 3, 2019.
It means that many developers will need to alter the way they work, and quickly. Native iOS code must be created and submitted for approval by September 3rd. This really isn’t long enough and only the larger software houses will stand a chance of implementing the changes in time.