Can an app get big without being on the play store?

[MikeOck]

Us being gambling entrepreneurs, we know that we're largely not welcome on the Play Store and App Store. My question is: can an app still become popular just with an Android apk direct download, or is that a severe limiting factor?

[PaulEchere]

That really depends on what value the app brings to its users. Since we're not talking about any specific app or service, we can just refer to it as "app".
So, let me give you an example from my own experience - some extremely popular Android apps in Africa, Asia and Russia are not in the Play Store and never will be. These apps host thousands of movies and tv shows, which people watch without having to pay for it (other than watching ads).

These apps bring huge value to their users and ask a relatively small price for that. They are not in the play store, however they are easily more popular than at least 60% of apps for those regions.
I'm not saying that you have to do something illegal in order for your app to be popular, but you do need to bring value to users if you want them to go (which some of them consider) an extra mile and download the actual .apk file.

[MikeOck]

That really depends on what value the app brings to its users. Since we're not talking about any specific app or service, we can just refer to it as "app".
So, let me give you an example from my own experience - some extremely popular Android apps in Africa, Asia and Russia are not in the Play Store and never will be. These apps host thousands of movies and tv shows, which people watch without having to pay for it (other than watching ads).

These apps bring huge value to their users and ask a relatively small price for that. They are not in the play store, however they are easily more popular than at least 60% of apps for those regions.
I'm not saying that you have to do something illegal in order for your app to be popular, but you do need to bring value to users if you want them to go (which some of them consider) an extra mile and download the actual .apk file.

Alright, to be more specific, casino/poker or any other real money type of video game

[universal4]

I think Paul stated it rather well, and is a pertinent answer whether the app is for poker or blue widgets.

That really depends on what value the app brings to its users.

Rick
Universal4

[DaftDog]

I agree with Paul, and would like to add that I think the “trust factor” may initially hinder people from downloading your app from your website. I know I would be very wary about downloading any app outside the major app stores.

[Tartata]

Marketer will say unequivocally need advertising, I'm not saying that it must be mega-expensive, but you need to get people to see the application, someone downloaded liked it, and so on down the chain.