Addressing anti-competition concerns, Google has proposed to allow real money games (RMGs) on Google Play in India. The internet giant has suggested changes to its Google Ads Policy, permitting games of skill to be advertised in India, subject to certain conditions.
In November 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) had ordered an investigation against Google on a complaint filed by Winzo Games Pvt Ltd. Against this backdrop, Google has submitted a commitment proposal to the regulator.
“The Play Commitment Proposal, along with the Ads Commitment Proposal, addresses the Commission's concerns by ensuring inclusive access to Google Play and Google Ads for all compliant RMGs, eliminating any alleged competitive disadvantages, and standardising policies to prevent any adverse effects on competition," Google said in the proposal.
In its order, CCI had mentioned the alleged exclusion of certain RMG apps from Google Play could result in a denial of market access. It also specified that the selective onboarding of DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) and Rummy apps allegedly distorts the competitive landscape. It was also flagged that the prolonged duration of the pilot program, which includes only DFS and Rummy apps, is said to perpetuate advantages for these apps, creating barriers for new entrants.
"Google will replace the current pilot program by allowing the distribution of all RMGs self-declared by developers as permissible online real money games as per applicable laws/jurisprudence, on Google Play in India,” the company said, adding that it is finalising its approach for an appropriate business model which considers developer commercial models in the RMG industry.
With respect to its Ads Policy, Google said it will allow games of skill to be advertised in India where the advertiser provides proof that it is in good standing with a recognised third party and certain other conditions. Besides, it needs to be ensured that the “recognised third party has provided a third party certification that the game it intends to advertise is a permissible game of skill, and the advertiser otherwise complies with the Google Ads Policies”, the proposal said.
Among other aspects, Google clarified that payment warnings are developer agnostic, applied in a uniform and transparent manner and are objectively necessary for user safety, as mandated by several directives of the Reserve Bank of India and the National Payments Corporation of India.
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