Maintenance or new Android rules behind Rush Poker disappearance?

The recently launched Full Tilt Rush Poker i-app may have fallen foul of new Android Market rules regarding classification of free-to-play gambling developments.

Mobile poker fans were this week bemoaning the sudden disappearance of the Rush Poker app from Android Market, although the product remained available from the Full Tilt website.

Full Tilt explained the removal in an email posted on Droid-Life.com, noting that the app was “unavailable due to maintenance.”

“While we are delighted at the success of the Rush Poker Mobile software, due to the software being in the beta testing stage, maintenance such as this is often essential.”

The removal comes only a week after it was introduced on Android Market following beta testing by Black Card members of Full Tilt. It also comes on the heels of an Android Market requirement that app developers classify their apps into 4 different age categories, with the top two being Teen and Mature.

Android Market is specific regarding gambling apps: “Apps with gambling themes or that include simulated gambling should be rated ‘Teen’ or above. Real [money] gambling is not allowed in Android Market.”