To address rising regulatory concerns and a complaint filed by Winzo Games, Google has proposed major policy changes in India. The tech giant now aims to allow Real Money Gaming (RMG) apps on the Play Store. This move is part of its commitment to ensure fair access and resolve anti-competitive concerns raised by India’s Competition Commission (CCI).
Commitment Proposal to Level the Playing Field
Google had faced a formal investigation after Winzo accused it of unfair practices and selective onboarding. Winzo had accused Google of selectively allowing only DFS and Rummy apps on its platform. In response, Google submitted a “Play Commitment Proposal” and “Ads Commitment Proposal” to CCI.
Google said the proposals ensure fair access for all compliant RMG apps. The company added that it would standardize policies across Google Play and Ads to prevent competitive disadvantages.
End of DFS-Rummy Bias, Inclusive Onboarding Ahead
According to the CCI, the previous pilot program, limited to DFS and Rummy, gave unfair advantages to a few apps. It also made market entry harder for newer gaming platforms.
Google will now end the pilot and allow all RMG apps on Play in India. These apps must be self-declared as legal under Indian law. This shift aims to democratize access and increase competition in the fast-growing gaming space.
Ads Policy Changes to Follow with New Guardrails
Google is also modifying its Google Ads Policy in India. It will now permit advertising for skill-based games under certain conditions.
Advertisers must prove good standing with third-party verifiers and meet extra conditions. This adds a layer of accountability and fairness in how games reach users through ads.
Payment Warnings and RBI Guidelines Stay Unchanged
Google also responded to criticism around payment warnings for RMG apps. It clarified that such alerts are developer-agnostic and applied uniformly.
It will better match the commercial needs of Indian gaming app developers. Moreover, these warnings are aligned with RBI and NPCI safety directives.
