A significant legal dispute is unfolding in the Delhi High Court, where a prominent Indian online gaming platform, WinZO Games, is challenging Google LLC over the removal of its official YouTube channel. In the latest development, the court has granted Google an additional 10 days to file its response, signaling a crucial phase in a case centered on alleged violations of YouTube’s gambling policies and the contentious classification of games. The matter is now set for further hearing on July 23, 2025.

The Channel’s Disappearance and WinZO’s Outcry

WinZO Games, a platform that asserts its focus is on skill-based online gaming, initiated legal proceedings in the Delhi High Court last month after its YouTube channel, “WinZOOfficial,” was abruptly taken down. The company stated that on June 16, it received an email from Google’s Ads policy team. This communication informed WinZO that its channel had been permanently removed due to alleged “severe or repeated” violations of YouTube’s policy concerning the sale of regulated goods, specifically citing content related to online gambling and betting. Google’s email emphasized that the decision was made to “protect users” and adhered to platform-wide guidelines. Upon inspection, the “WinZOOfficial” channel now displays a standard disclaimer indicating its removal for violating Community Guidelines.

WinZO swiftly challenged this action, arguing in court that its platform exclusively hosts games of skill, which are fully legal under Indian law, and thus do not constitute gambling or betting. The company contended that the removal of its YouTube channel and the imposition of advertising restrictions were entirely unjustified, asserting that these actions have inflicted significant financial losses on its business. WinZO has formally requested the Court to issue a directive compelling Google to reinstate its YouTube channel and restore its advertising rights. Counsel for the platform stressed that WinZO’s services fully comply with Indian gaming laws and do not breach YouTube’s stated policies when it comes to the dissemination of skill-based content.

Court Grants Extension Amid Legal Clash

The most recent hearing in the case took place on Thursday before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav. During the session, Google’s legal representative sought additional time to prepare and submit a detailed reply to the claims put forth by WinZO. WinZO’s legal team vehemently opposed this request for an extension, highlighting the ongoing business disruption and urging the court for an immediate resolution. However, Justice Kaurav ultimately granted Google ten additional days to file its response, citing the decision as being “in the interest of justice.” WinZO has also been afforded the opportunity to file a rejoinder within two days after it receives Google’s reply, ensuring both parties have adequate time to present their positions.

This legal confrontation is unfolding against a backdrop of broader policy changes by YouTube concerning gambling content. The platform significantly updated its gambling content policies on March 19, 2025, tightening restrictions on content that promotes gambling sites or applications not explicitly certified by Google. The updated guidelines now prohibit various methods of directing viewers to uncertified gambling platforms, including URLs, embedded links, visual displays of logos, or even verbal references. The policy also specifically restricts content promising guaranteed returns from gambling. Furthermore, it mandates that online casino-related content (excluding online sports betting and depictions of in-person gambling) be age-restricted, making it unviewable to signed-out users or those under 18. Only gambling operators that are certified and compliant with Google’s stringent standards are now permitted to advertise on the platform.

This is not WinZO’s first legal encounter with Google regarding platform policies. In September 2022, WinZO had previously sued Google over its Play Store policy, which selectively included only Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and Rummy for real-money gaming, while excluding a large segment of other skill gaming platforms. WinZO had argued at the time that this policy was discriminatory and created unfair competition. The Delhi High Court, however, rejected WinZO’s application to prevent the policy’s implementation, ruling that Google’s security warnings on APK downloads were legitimate disclaimers and did not infringe on trademarks or constitute disparagement.

The ongoing lawsuit in the Delhi High Court represents a critical legal test for the interpretation of content policies on major tech platforms in relation to India’s nuanced gaming laws, particularly the distinction between games of skill and games of chance. The outcome will likely have significant implications for how online gaming platforms operate and promote their services in the rapidly expanding Indian digital market.