Google has proposed opening up Play Store in India to a larger number of real-money gaming (RMG) apps in response to an ongoing antitrust probe by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) related to the tech giant’s alleged abuse of dominance in the RMG ecosystem.
The broader Play Store access is part of a set of proposed remedies submitted by Google to the CCI, according to a notice issued by the competition watchdog that invited public comments on the ‘commitment offer’. The CCI’s antitrust probe launched in November 2024, stems from a complaint filed by Delhi-based real-money gaming platform Winzo
As part of its list of proposed fixes aimed at levelling the competitive field, Google said it would allow all RMG apps to be distributed to users in India via Play Store, provided they are “self-declared by developers as permissible online real-money games as per applicable laws/jurisprudence.”
The company also indicated that it may update its advertising policies to allow ads for ‘games of skill’ in India as long as developers furnished certification from third-party bodies that they are not ‘games of chance’ or gambling apps.
The deadline for providing feedback on Google’s proposed remedies is August 20, 2025.
If approved by the CCI, these remedies would not only let developers of RMG apps reach more Android users but also enable Google to earn more revenue from a wider pool of RMG apps and ads for these apps shown on its platforms.
The online gaming sector in India, largely dominated by real money games, is expected to grow to $9.1 billion by 2029, according to a joint report by Winzo and the Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC) published earlier this year.
As for app fees and revenue-sharing details with RMG apps, Google said it is still figuring it out. “In parallel, Google is finalising its approach for an appropriate business model which considers developer commercial models in the RMG industry,” the company submitted to the CCI.
In regards to the CCI’s decision to gather public feedback on its commitment proposal, a Google spokesperson told The Indian Express, “We’re pleased the CCI is market testing our proposed framework for real-money games (RMGs) in India. This development reflects our constructive discussions with the CCI and the Indian developer community along with our commitment to building a more open and safe ecosystem for RMG apps across Google Play and Google Ads.”
“We look forward to continuing to work with the CCI and the wider RMG ecosystem, and are confident our proposed framework will empower Indian developers, grow the digital economy, and prioritize user safety,” they added.
The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), an industry body which represents Mobile Premier League (MPL), Nazara, Gameskraft, and MyTeam11, among others, welcomed the Play Store changes proposed by Google.
“Over the past three years, we have actively engaged with all relevant stakeholders to help shape balanced and forward-looking policy outcomes for the sector. We’re encouraged to see that this constructive engagement is bearing fruit, and believe this move will empower responsible operators, support innovation, and ensure a safer experience for Indian consumers,” Roland Landers, CEO of AIGF, said in a statement.
Google’s proposed changes to Play Store
As part of a pilot programme launched in 2022, Google only allowed apps in the daily fantasy sports (DFS) and Rummy categories to be hosted on Play Store. While the pilot was supposed to last for a year, these two categories of RMG apps have remained on the app store.
Now, Google has proposed to scrap the pilot programme and allow the distribution of all RMGs on the Play Store but under the following conditions:
– Developers will be required to self-declare that their apps are permissible online real-money games as per applicable laws and jurisprudence.
– Developers will need to submit proof that the app “is in good standing” with a third-party body recognised by Google. These third-party bodies include industry associations such as AIGF as well as Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) and e-Gaming Federation (EGF).
– Developers will also need to ensure that their apps are compliant with Google policies, including the Google Play-Developer Distribution Agreement (DDA) and Developer Program Policies (DPP), which would be updated to reflect these changes.
Google said it would start allowing compliant RMG apps on the Play Store within 120 days of the CCI accepting its remedies and issuing such an order.
Google’s proposed changes to ad policies
In response to concerns raised by the CCI on Google permitting ads only from fantasy sports and Rummy apps, the company has proposed allowing all skill-based RMG apps to be advertised in India, provided:
– The advertiser provides proof that it is in good standing with a recognised third party. These recognised third parties will be required to meet objective criteria, and may include industry associations such as AIGF, EGF, and FIFS.
– The advertiser provides third party certification that the app it intends to advertise is a permissible game of skill.
– The advertiser complies with Google’s updated ads policies.
If accepted by the CCI, Google said that the related ad policy changes will take effect within 150 days of the regulator’s order.
How has Winzo responded to Google’s offer?
Commenting on Google’s submission to the CCI, Winzo said that the issue goes far beyond app store access.
“It is about safeguarding the future of innovation, fair competition, and India’s economic potential. With the right support, this sector can become a $60 billion global powerhouse in under a decade, powering digital exports, job creation, and India’s rise as a global gaming leader,” the real-money gaming platform said.
It further accused Google of offering “legacy Fantasy and Rummy platforms an unfair head start in access, trust, and capital.”
Timeline of events
– In 2021, the Supreme Court upheld that fantasy sports were games of skill and not gambling.
– In 2022, Google announced a pilot programme to allow fantasy sports and Rummy apps on the Play Store.
– That same year, Winzo moved Delhi High Court challenging Google’s pilot project for select RMG apps.
– In January 2024, Google announced it would make new kinds of RMG apps available on the local Play Stores in India, Brazil, and Mexico.
– In June 2024, it paused this experiment and said that already approved RMG apps would remain on Play Store.
– In November 2024, the CCI launched a formal probe into Google’s policies for real-money gaming apps.
The deadline for providing feedback on Google’s proposed remedies is August 20, 2025. (Express Photo) 
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