Rummy Game Development is one of the most demanded services in the gaming industry today. Young and even middle-aged entrepreneurs are rushing to launch real-money games these days. The reason is simple — ‘Easy Money’. 

Real money gaming applications such as rummy, poker, ludo, blackjack, fantasy sports, etc., are like a money tree for the game owners. Eventually, every rummy game development company, not just the game owner, is flourishing like no other industry. 

From fixed commissions coming from the players to in-app purchases, app monetisation, and in-app advertisements are some common techniques that flood the app owner with tremendous money. 

However, the idea seems quite fascinating, maintaining legal compliance and responsibility while launching a real-money game to different markets is a necessity. Otherwise, instead of making tremendous money, the business owner might end up getting arrested and paying hefty penalties. 

But don’t worry! Today, this blog will educate you as much as possible on online Rummy Game Licensing. After reading this blog, you will be able to launch a compliant rummy app or any other real-money card game and fantasy sports without inviting legal trouble. Let’s scroll down and start. 

Why Online Rummy Game Requires Licensing? 

However, Rummy is a skill-based game, still due to money involvement it has an age-old notorious image of ‘gambling’. Gambling is a legal offense and social stigma. Nevertheless, it remains popular among the players. 

Therefore, rummy apps are highly popular for ‘easy money making’, but if a rummy game makes player play irresponsibly or does not acquire a license from the respective authority, it can land him/her into hot water. The consequences will include-

Imprisonment  

• Unlicensed rummy game development directly leads to imprisonment worldwide.

• In India, the game owner might be sentenced to 3 Years.

• Whereas, the USA sentences the game owner for up to 5 years.

• The United Kingdom jails unlicensed rummy app owner for 7 years. 

Account Seizure 

• Undoubtedly, you will start generating million dollars of revenue soonafter the launch.

• However, if you are unlicensed, your government will seize all your revenues and you will never get them back. 

• Even failure to pay related taxes can invite account seizure. 

Heavy Penalties & Fines

• Depending upon the court proceedings, the judges might also ask you to pay fines and penalties if the offense is highly severe. 

• Say for example, if you allowed minor players or international players (who have different national or state laws from yours) on the rummy app.

• Alternatively, if your rummy app is found not handling the sensitive information of the players responsibly. 

• Under such circumstances, you will also need to pay hefty fines and penalties to the government and to the affected ‘victims’. 

• The fine might range between INR 10 thousand and INR 10 crore (up to USD 100,000).

Blacklisting of the Domain & IP 

• Furthermore, the government can even blacklist your domain and your IP address forever. 

• Eventually, no one will never be able to access your online rummy and your ‘hardwork’ and ‘efforts’ will go in vain. 

Or May Be, You Can’t Even Reach App Store & Play Store 

• Above all, did you know that the app review guidelines of Google Play Store and especially Apple’s App Store are extremely strict. 

• None of the platforms accept unfair, shady, and irresponsible gambling games for submission. 

• Eventually, if you do not have the required licesences and documents, you are never launching at all. 

• Thus, it is always advisable to choose a rummy game development company which is knowledgeable enough.

• Never fall prey to alluring offers made by some freelancers or local game development agencies who promise App Store and Play Store launch without a license. 

Loss of Social Reputation

• As discussed earlier, real money card games like rummy and poker are popular but an age-old stigma for the society. 

• If you are caught and arrested for such unfair practices, you will also lose your reputation in the society and people will start looking down upon at you.

So, this way, not licensing the rummy game will end up bringing financial, professional, and even social harm to you. Therefore, be even more attentive in the upcoming sections and learn everything about rummy app licensing, legal compliance, and regulation. 

The Rummy Game Development Company Can Actually Help! 

Some noob game developers, freelancers, and unscrupulous game development agencies might offer cheap rummy game development services at a much lower price. Say for example, rummy game development under INR 30,000/- or INR 100,000/-. 

And remember that they are not offering such low cost because they are ‘freelancers’ or away from the ‘taxes’. 

• They are offering such low prices because they have no previous experience in rummy game development and they are experimenting with your project for personal gain. 

• Like rummy is a skill-based game, rummy game development also requires cutting-edge game development skills. 

• Only, an experienced rummy app developer can craft a feature-rich yet legally compliant rummy app. 

Therefore, we always recommend the aspiring rummy game owners to choose an experienced rummy game development company that has thorough knowledge of related legalities and development practices. Now let’s find out what practices you should expect from a Rummy Game Developer step by step-

Step #1: Pay Attention Towards These Compliance Factors

Whenever you approach any rummy game developer, remember the following necessities: 

Age of the Players 

• If launching worldwide or in a couple of different countries, the age of the players matters a lot for a skill-based real money game.

• The game developer will have to implement ID verification techniques with some backend engineering so that your app does not allow ‘minors’ to play. 

Target Country

Legal Age for Playing Real Money Games

India

18 & Above

USA

21 & Above

UK

18 & Above

UAE

Prohibited (Only non-cash rummy)

Canada

18 or 19 Above (depending upon state laws)

Australia

18 & Above

Germany

18 & Above

Mexico

18 & Above

Philippines

21 & Above

RNG Algorithms 

• Whenever you choose a rummy game developer, be sure that the developer or the development team is well-versed with Random Number Generator (RNG) algorithms. 

• RNG algorithms make sure that a game is purely skill-based an ‘unmanipulated’. 

• As the name suggests, ‘Random Number Generator’ algos ensure that the outcomes in the game are purely random and have nothing to do with manipulation. 

• Usually, professional rummy game development companies mention ‘RNG-Certified’ on their websites. 

• So, do your research well, and choose right one for you and encourage only the fair play. 

A Strict KYC Policy 

• Real cash money games have age restrictions as explained above. 

• However, how to ensure that every player has attained the required age?

• Know Your Customer (KYC) through government IDs like Aadhaar and PAN Cards (India) and Citizen IDs (other countries) technologies can help verify age of the players. 

• The rummy game developer needs to adda  KYC API to the game. 

Detailed Terms & Conditions 

• Every rummy app is unique, the gameplay policies, such as refund, terms, conditions, etc., need to be compliant with the government laws.

• Additionally, your refund policies must also be clear to the players so that they are never misguided. 

• So, the development team will also need to co-ordinate with the content marketing team to draft clear policies. 

Compliance with the Data Protection Laws

• Apart from general Real Money gaming laws and policies, a mobile app or a website also have to follow general data protection laws.

• Say, for example General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) in India, California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) (for California) are certain examples. 

• Overall, every online business needs to handle the user data very responsibly and in case of data disclosure to any other third-party, the user must be informed of the same. 

Discuss all these factors with the chosen Rummy game development company and make sure they have enough knowledge of all these factors. If you end up choosing an inexperienced or unknowledgeable game development agency, you will suffer later. 

 Step #2: Wait for The Development & Apply for the Licence 

Once, you clear all the requirements mentioned in the step 1 above with the development team, now you need to wait for the development. While the development goes, you can apply for the License in concerned authorities. 

This will be the most crucial and even tormenting phase for you as the game owner. Especially if you live in a corruption-led place, then the journey will be even more torturous. 

Anyways, let’s don’t feel demotivated at the thought of corruption. Here are some country-specific quick licensing bodies for you-

The Online Rrummy Federation (TORF), (Now All India Gaming Federation ~ AIGF), India

• In India, the Rummy app owner will first need to apply for certification at a self-regulatory body (SRB). 

• The Online Rummy Federation (TORF), which is now the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) is your primary step towards licensing. 

• TORF or AIGF verifies your rummy app to make sure that it-

• Offers Fair Play (RNG-certified)

• Promotes responsible gaming

• Is fully skill-based (and not chance-based anyhow)

• Has transparent rules and policies

• Handles players’ data responsibly. 

• Getting certified from AIGF ensures that you are now ready to apply for the license with the MeitY. 

Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), India

• MeitY is a government body in India that formulates, drafts, and enforces laws and policies regarding Information Technology, cybersecurity, and digital governance.

• After you get certified by AIGF, you will also need the approval by MeitY if your rummy app is operational in India. 

General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA), UAE 

• However, real-money games like Rummy and Poker are not legal anyhow in the UAE, since Sharia prevails, GCGRA might offer required licensing in the near future.

• Right now, the UAE is focusing hard on shifting its age-old oil-based economy towards a digital economy.

• Gaming and content creation are also major focuses in the UAE.

• Therefore, GCGRA may start offering licensing, but in the sandbox model.

• Sandbox model in the UAE is a specially designed environment for real money involved apps like gaming and Fintech.

• Under the sandbox model, entrepreneurs can freely test their business models without necessarily fulfilling all the legal requirements. 

UK Gambling Commission, UK 

• If launching a real money Rummy game in the UK, then the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) provides the required licensing. 

• UKGC will also verify whether the rummy game development adheres to KYC, RNG, and data handling policies.

• Only then will it issue the required licensing. 

Special Cases (USA)

In the United States of America, the real money games are regulated state-wise. Eventually, depending upon the State, the app owner will need to apply to the State Bodies. Some crucial examples include-

• New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement

• Michigan Gaming Control Board

• Delaware Lottery Office

• Nevada Gaming Commission

Likewise, you can research further and figure out a detailed list of such licensing bodies according to your target cities and states. However, multiple licenses are not necessary. 

Step #3: Time to Pay The Taxes

Remember that you will also need to pay taxes on real money game development. Failing to pay the required taxes will also make you face legal troubles. 

Country-wise, below is an overview of taxes for online rummy games and other real money involved games. 

Country

Key Taxes

India

• 28% GST

• 30% TDS

UAE

9% Corporate Tax

UK

21% POCT

USA

15%-30% GGR

Malta

5% GGR Tax

Canada

20% GGR

Philippines

5% Franchise Tax

Failure to pay these taxes, can lead to imprisonment (in some cases) and usually heavy fines, penalties, or even account seizure. So, be mindful of the taxation-compliance. 

Step #4: Market Responsibly, Earn Regularly 

Acquired the Licence? Paid all the required taxes? If yes, then congratulations! Your Rummy app is now launch-ready. Now, let your chosen rummy game development team launch your app on the required platforms — Google Play Store, App Store, or Your Official Website (APK). 

Once, you launch your app, its time to promote your rummy app. These days, the gaming world is full of various card games. Card game development is not limited to Rummy, but it also includes Poker, Teen Patti, Blackjack, and even UNO types of games. 

Therefore, the competition is already tough. You need to market your app such that it stands out from others and capture immediate attention of the players. Thus, formulate a robust marketing strategy and focus on increasing the number of downloads for your app. 

Let’s Sum Up

So, are you ready to make some easy money? Well, to run a business and make a living are not easy in this world. However, you can make a bunch of money with Rummy game development. During the pre-development phase, you will need to work really hard. It's like harvesting a crop — you sow hard work today and reap success tomorrow. 

During this tough harvesting period, you will need the support of a reliable card game development company that can develop a legally fair game so that you never get into trouble. 

As now you are fully aware of what you need, proceed carefully without losing the enthusiasm. Today’s hardwork is going to bring tremendous success tomorrow. You are just a few licensing processes away from becoming a millionaire. All the best ahead!