Paytm and Paytm First Games app has been removed from the Google Play Store in India for violating gambling policies. Paytm is one of the most popular payments apps in India that also offers e-commerce and financial services to over 400 million users (as of 2019). The Paytm app and Paytm First Games app were delisted from the Play Store in India on accounts of facilitating sports betting which is in direct violation of Google’s gambling policy.
Paytm has posted a tweet on its official Twitter account confirming that the Android app is “temporarily unavailable” and assuring concerned users that their money is safe until the app comes back “very soon”.
Dear Paytm'ers,
— Paytm (@Paytm) September 18, 2020
Paytm Android app is temporarily unavailable on Google's Play Store for new downloads or updates. It will be back very soon.
All your money is completely safe, and you can continue to enjoy your Paytm app as normal.
In a blog post, Google says, “We don’t allow online casinos or support any unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting. This includes if an app leads consumers to an external website that allows them to participate in paid tournaments to win real money or cash prizes, it is a violation of our policies.”
Paytm has added a new fantasy cricket tournament in the Paytm First Games app and the app also promotes other fantasy sports as banners on the homepage. For instance, if you look in the screenshot below, the banner advertisement takes users to a third-party website. According to Google, this form of promotion puts users in potential harm and in such cases the app is taken down from the Play Store temporarily until it is restored and meets the guidelines.
Paytm First Games app, on the other hand, offers fantasy cricket and football tournaments that involve betting with actual money. It raked in over 5 million app downloads during the Coronavirus lockdown. The app recently roped in Sachin Tendulkar as its brand ambassador for “creating awareness” about fantasy sports in India.
PSA
— Digit (@digitindia) September 18, 2020
We advise you to wait for @Paytm 's official statement on the issue. It's too early to panic about your PayTm balance and other assets on the app.#PayTm #PlayStore
Having said that, fantasy sports isn't restricted in India and is not illegal in the country. We have reached out to Paytm for an official statement and will update as it comes in.