Google Play Store removes Paytm, says app violated gambling policies

Paytm said the app will be back soon and assured its users that ttheir money is completely safe.
Google Play Store removes Paytm, says app violated gambling policies

New Delhi: Popular payment app Paytm is no longer available. It has been pulled down by Google Play Store from its platform as the app was violating its gambling policies.

The app owned by One97 Communications Ltd. has been removed from Play Store while all other apps including Paytm for Business, Paytm Money, Paytm Mall, and others are still available on Play Store.

Paytm said in its official Twitter handle, "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." 

Meanwhile, Google said that Play Store forbids online gambling and other unregulated gambling apps that encourage sports betting in India. Paytm has been promoting fantasy sports services within its marquee app and has been violating the Play Store's policies.

Google has earlier pulled Paytm's fantasy sports service Paytm First Games, which was a standalone app from the Play Store.

In its announcement made on Friday, Google made a preventive attempt to remind all the developers about its gambling policies just a day before the popular and much-awaited cricket tournament Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to kick off.

The previous seasons of IPL which last for nearly two months, attract millions of cricket lovers in India, have seen a surge in apps that seem to promote or participate in sports betting. 

India has banned sports betting years ago, but fantasy sports where people select their favorite players and win if their preferred team or players plays well is still not illegal in most of the states in the country.

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Sentinel Assam
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