Paytm Is Back On Google Play Store Hours After It Was Pulled Down For Violating Gambling Policies

Hours after it was taken down, payments platform Paytm's mobile application is back on Google Play Store, the company said in a tweet.

"Update: And we're back!" Paytm wrote on Twitter.

The app was earlier on Friday (18 September) was removed by Google from its android Play Store for allegedly violating store's gambling policies.

"We don’t allow online casinos/support any unregulated gambling apps that facilitate sports betting," Google said in a statement.

"It includes if app leads consumers to an external website that allows them to participate in paid tournaments to win real money/cash prizes," the statement further read.

After the action by Google, Paytm had said that its recently introduced 'Paytm Cricket League' was found to be violating Play Store's gambling policies, Livemint reported.

"We recently launched the ‘Paytm Cricket League’ on our consumer app for users to engage in their passion of cricket and get cashback. The game allows users to get player stickers after each transaction, collect them and receive Paytm Cashback. Today afternoon, we received communication from Google that they are suspending our app because they believe this to be a violation of their Play Store policies on gambling. The Paytm Android app has thus been unlisted from Google’s Play Store and is temporarily unavailable to users for new downloads or updates," the company stated earlier in a blog post.

"We continue to work with Google to restore the app. We assure all our users that their balances and linked accounts are 100 per cent safe. Our services are fully functional on all existing apps and you can continue enjoying Paytm like before," Paytm had further said.

The move came only a day before Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament is about to begin with its new season. The tournament is believed to be an event that attracts massive betting and gambling.

For the unversed, an Indian company named One97 Communications Limited, founded by Vijay Shekhar Sharma, owns Paytm. However, the company has in past received big investment from Fintech firm Ant Financials, an ally of Chinese giant Alibaba group.

Paytm has over the years emerged as a popular transaction platform among users across India.