CCI closes anti-trust probe against Google after new law bans online money games

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has closed an anti-trust inquiry against Google over its policies for real-money gaming (RMG) apps, citing the implementation of a law that now prohibits online money games and their advertisements.

In 2022, Winzo Games Pvt Ltd filed a complaint against Google alleging abuse of its dominant position by allowing only fantasy sports and rummy apps under a pilot programme on Google Play while excluding other real-money gaming applications.

Winzo had also alleged that Google's advertising policy allowed only fantasy sports and rummy operators to advertise through Google Ads, while payment warnings were displayed when users attempted to make payments to its platform using Google Pay.

The CCI in November 2024 formed a prima facie view that Google was dominant in the markets for licensable operating systems for smart mobile devices, Android app stores and online search advertising services in India.

It also directed its investigation arm, the Director General, to probe the alleged conduct.

In a 21-page order, the regulator cited the peculiar and unusual combination of facts and circumstances in the case.

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which came into force along with the 2026 rules from May 1, 2026, prohibits offering online money games, advertisements promoting them and facilitating financial transactions related to such games.

The provisions apply without distinguishing between games of skill and games of chance where money or stakes are involved.

The CCI noted that there was consequently no longer a lawful RMG market on Google Play or Google Ads that could be opened to one category of developers while being denied to another.

It said the relief originally sought by Winzo could no longer be granted because directing Google to admit RMG apps or permit their advertisements would run contrary to the new law.

The regulator also noted that Google had already closed its RMG pilot programme and stopped accepting real-money gaming advertisements from January 2026, before the new law came into force.

The CCI said the commitments proposed by Google had become incapable of implementation because they were based on the assumption that real-money games could lawfully be distributed and advertised.

The watchdog noted that continuing the present inquiry would neither restore market access nor improve consumer choice or remedy an ongoing distortion or prevent recurrence of the conduct identified in the prima facie order.

"No meaningful relief, therefore, survives in the present matter," the CCI said, adding that it was closing the present inquiry.

Winzo had also voluntarily sought withdrawal of its complaint during a hearing on August 25, 2026, citing the change in law.

Accordingly, in an order dated September 8, 2026, the CCI recalled its November 28, 2024 direction ordering the investigation and directed that the inquiry be closed.

The Commission, however, made clear that the closure was based on the facts and legal position prevailing on the date of the order and did not amount to any finding on the merits of Google's alleged conduct.

It also reserved the right to take cognisance of any alleged anti-competitive conduct by Google if the relevant provisions of the Online Gaming Act are stayed, struck down, repealed or otherwise cease to operate.