Panic stations everyone! On June 3, Apple announced they will no longer support HTML5 for their real money gambling apps. This means that the majority of Online Casino providers will not be able to support Apple mobile devices unless they convert their coding from HTML5 to the native Apple language of iOS.

HTML5 is a software code that is a common language used on various browsers. You may be familiar with browsers: Windows Explorer, Chrome and FireFox. HTML5 is compatible with all browsers, and through these browsers mobile dynamic websites have the ability to be created on HTML5. There are many forms of coding that can create an avenue to playing online games but HTML5 is considered one of the most cost effective as it can translate to many browsers with very little code change.

However with Apple’s new app guidelines HTML5 will not be supported. And therefore when viewing an online casino website an an Apple mobile device it may appear to be distorted, non functioning or even inaccessible. Only the native iOS language will be available and allowed on Apple mobile devices, and it appears to be that it must be created as downloadable App through the Apple iStore.

Key points:
– New real money apps must be native iOS
– Existing real money apps must comply by September 3, 2019
– 3 months to create an iOS app for real money gambling is an extremely short time.

Is Apple being difficult?

Apple has had a long standing aversion to real money gambling apps. At requests from countries that prohibit real money gambling, Apple has in the past “pulled out” apps from their app store. Is Apple being difficult? Three months to build an app, is an extremely short time, but the benefits of creating an app on native iOS results in a quicker, more efficient real money gambling app.

Whilst larger online casinos can pour money and resources to meeting the Apple Guidelines, this poses a dilemma for smaller Online Casinos. With less capital, their challenge is two fold: can they develop and produce a quality real money app within 3 months, and does the cost outweigh the benefits.

Approximately 50% of real money gambling apps are played on Apple mobile devices in North America with a smaller share in Europe and Asia.

I dare say, a lot of US online players who normally access their online gaming via an iPhone or iPad will not be happy come September 3. Will this be a huge blow to Apple products or to Android only Online Casino operators? Time will tell.

Update to App Store Review Guidelines

June 3, 2019

Guide Line 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.

Real Money App Market

Android phones are growing in market share, hence Apples actions to force real money apps to convert to native iOS is strategically risky. Online Casinos could turn away from providing an Apple App product, which may lead to an increase in android mobile phone usage. Or this change in guideline could prove the downfall of smaller Online Casino Operators.

Apple is forcing its hand in the Apps world.