The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has officially closed its antitrust investigation into Google concerning its handling of real-money gaming applications. This decision comes in light of a new statutory ban on online money games, rendering the probe unnecessary. The CCI had initially ordered an investigation in November 2024 following complaints that Google was allegedly discriminating against certain categories of real-money gaming apps on its platforms, including the Play Store and Google Ads.
The complaint originated from WinZO Games Private Limited, which accused Google LLC, Alphabet Inc, and their Indian subsidiaries of abusing their dominant market position under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002. WinZO specifically took issue with Google’s 2022 pilot program that permitted only Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and Rummy apps on the Play Store while excluding other real-money gaming (RMG) applications. Additionally, there were grievances about Google’s advertisement policies favoring DFS and Rummy apps and the warnings displayed during specific user transactions via Google Pay.
In its November 2024 order, the CCI identified Google as a dominant player in the Indian markets for licensable mobile operating systems, Android app stores, and online search advertising services. The regulator expressed concerns that allowing only certain RMG apps could create unfair market conditions and disadvantage other RMG developers.
Google responded by invoking the new commitment mechanism under Section 48B of the Competition Act, proposing to open Google Play and Google Ads to skill-based RMGs that met certification requirements. However, legislative changes shifted the landscape when the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 was enacted, taking effect on May 1, 2026. This law imposes a comprehensive ban on online money games, their advertisements, and associated payment facilitation, without distinguishing between games of skill and chance.
The CCI noted that while the law’s validity is under review by the Supreme Court, no suspension of its provisions has been reported. The statutory ban effectively eliminates the possibility of a lawful RMG market on Google platforms, nullifying the relief sought by WinZO in its complaint.
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Before the new law’s implementation, Google had already discontinued its RMG pilot program and ceased accepting real-money gaming advertisements as of January 2026. WinZO also moved to withdraw its complaint in August 2026, acknowledging the legal changes. Despite this, the CCI emphasized its inquisitorial role, independent of the informant’s wishes, to determine the necessity of continuing proceedings.
Ultimately, the CCI concluded that the combination of the new legislation, Google’s discontinuation of the pilot program, and WinZO’s withdrawal request justified closing the case. The CCI also denied Google’s proposition for a fresh commitment to cease the pilot program and halt RMG advertisements, as these actions were now mandated by law rather than being competitive remedies.
The CCI stated, “Accepting such an offer may amount to treating mandatory statutory compliance as a negotiated competition remedy.”
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WinZO Games was legally represented by advocate Pranav Chadha, while Google’s legal team included Karan Singh Chandhiok, Rahul Rai, Tarun Donadi, and Uday Bali from Chandhiok & Mahajan. Aditi Gopalakrishnan and Arunima Chatterjee appeared as representatives for Google.
