• Google has proposed significant changes to its Play Store policies in India to settle an antitrust investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
• The proposal would allow all legally permissible real-money games (RMGs) of skill to be distributed on the Play Store, ending the previous policy that favoured only fantasy sports and rummy.
• The move is a direct response to a complaint from developer Winzo Games and a CCI probe into whether Google was abusing its dominant market position by selectively denying market access.
• Under the new terms, developers would need to obtain certification from a recognised Indian industry body, such as the AIGF or FIFS, confirming their game is skill-based to gain Play Store access.
• Google has also offered to update its advertising policies to allow ads for all certified RMGs, levelling the competitive field for customer acquisition.

In a move with significant implications for India’s vast real-money gaming (RMG) market, Google has submitted a proposal to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to settle an ongoing antitrust case. The technology giant has offered to end its “selective” approach and open the Indian Play Store to all legally permissible real-money games of skill.

This represents a major policy shift. Since 2022, Google has only permitted daily fantasy sports and rummy apps on its platform in India, a policy that other RMG developers have argued is anti-competitive. The proposed changes aim to create a level playing field for all compliant developers in the skill-gaming category.

Antitrust Probe Prompted by Developer Complaint

The CCI’s investigation was initiated following a complaint from Winzo Games, a prominent developer of skill-based RMG titles. Winzo alleged that Google’s policies unfairly denied its products market access while simultaneously promoting and distributing apps from the fantasy sports and rummy verticals.

In its preliminary findings, the CCI noted that “distribution on Google Play is essential for app developers to reach a large audience,” and that the exclusion of certain RMG apps could amount to a denial of market access. The probe is examining whether Google’s conduct may have violated Section 4 of India’s Competition Act, which prohibits the abuse of a dominant market position.

The Proposed New Framework: Certification is Key

Under the terms of the new proposal, Google would move away from its own curated “pilot programme.” Instead, eligibility for distribution on the Play Store would be contingent on developers securing certification from a recognised third-party industry body, such as the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), E-Gaming Federation (EGF), or the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS). These bodies would be responsible for validating that a game qualifies as a “permissible game of skill” under Indian law.

In its submission, Google stated, “The RMG Policy Update ensures that any alleged advantage previously conferred to DFS and rummy apps is eliminated, and the competitive field is levelled.”

Advertising Policies to be Aligned

Crucially, the proposal extends beyond app distribution to also cover advertising. Google’s current ad policies mirror its Play Store rules, permitting ads only for fantasy sports and rummy. The company has now committed to updating this policy to allow all certified skill-based RMGs to be advertised across its network, provided they meet legal and compliance standards.

If the CCI accepts the proposals, Google would be required to implement the new Play Store framework within 120 days and overhaul its advertising policy within 150 days of approval. The outcome of this case is being watched closely as a key indicator of how platform governance and regulatory oversight will interact to shape India’s rapidly evolving digital economy.