The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has closed its antitrust probe against Google over its treatment of real-money gaming apps, citing the subsequent statutory ban on online money games..The regulator cited the subsequent statutory ban on online money games in view of which it decided to close the matter.The CCI recalled its November 2024 order directing a probe into allegations that Google discriminated between different categories of real-money gaming apps on the Play Store and Google Ads. However, the CCI clarified that the closure does not amount to any finding on the merits of the alleged anti-competitive conduct..The case arose from a complaint filed by WinZO Games Private Limited against Google LLC, Alphabet Inc and Google’s Indian entities. WinZO alleged abuse of dominance under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002..WinZO challenged Google’s 2022 pilot programme that permitted only Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) and Rummy real-money gaming apps on the Play Store while excluding other RMG applications. It also objected to Google’s advertising policy allowing advertisements for DFS and Rummy apps, and to warnings displayed when users attempted certain payments through Google Pay.In November 2024, the CCI found Google dominant in the markets for licensable mobile operating systems, Android app stores and online search advertising services in India. It found that selectively admitting DFS and Rummy apps could create a “two-tier market” and disadvantage competing RMG developers.Google subsequently invoked the newly introduced commitment mechanism under Section 48B of the Competition Act. Its eventual proposal contemplated opening Google Play and Google Ads to legally permissible skill-based RMGs subject to certification requirements..However, the legal landscape changed after the parliament enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The law, which came into force on May 1, 2026, prohibits online money games, their advertisements and facilitation of payments for such games, without distinguishing between games of skill and games of chance. The CCI noted that although the validity of the law is under challenge before the Supreme Court, no stay on its operation had been brought to its notice.The CCI noted that the law imposed a complete and game-neutral prohibition, leaving no lawful RMG market on Google Play or Google Ads that could be opened to one category of developers and denied to another.It further held that the relief originally sought by WinZO could no longer be granted because directing Google to host or advertise RMG applications would itself run contrary to the new law.Google had also shut its RMG pilot programme and stopped accepting real-money gaming advertisements from January 2026, before the new law came into force..WinZO itself sought to withdraw its complaint in August 2026 because of the change in law. The CCI, however, stressed that competition proceedings are inquisitorial and in rem, and that an informant cannot by itself determine whether proceedings should be terminated..Ultimately, the Commission found that the combination of the new legislation, absence of any effective remedy, discontinuance of Google’s pilot programme and WinZO’s withdrawal request made continuation of the probe unnecessary.Hence, it closed the matter.The CCI also rejected Google’s request to offer a fresh commitment to close the pilot and prohibit RMG advertisements, observing that these were now statutory requirements rather than voluntary competition remedies.“Accepting such an offer may amount to treating mandatory statutory compliance as a negotiated competition remedy,” the Commission said..WinZO Games was represented by advocate Pranav Chadha..Google was represented by Advocates advocates Karan Singh Chandhiok, Tarun Donadi and Uday Bali from Chandhiok & Mahajan. Advocate Rahul Rai from axiom5 Law Chambers also represented Google. Aditi Gopalakrishnan and Arunima Chatterjee appeared as representatives of Google..[Read Judgment]
