CCI Closes WinZo's Antitrust Case Against Google Following Real Money Gaming Ban

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has officially concluded its antitrust investigation into Google's practices regarding real money gaming (RMG) apps. The probe was initiated after a complaint by WinZo, a mobile gaming platform, which accused Google of abusing its dominant position. WinZo alleged that Google allowed certain RMG apps, such as Daily Fantasy Sports and Rummy, on its Play Store and Google Ads while restricting others.

According to the CCI, the new Indian legislation, the "Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025," which came into effect in May 2026, has rendered the requested relief in the case impossible to grant. The law prohibits online money games, their advertisements, and the facilitation of payments for such activities. The commission stated that compelling Google to allow or advertise RMG apps would be contrary to the law.

In November 2024, the CCI had initially found Google to be dominant in several markets, including mobile operating systems and app stores in India. The regulator suggested that Google's actions could create a "two-tier market" disadvantageous to other RMG developers. While Google had proposed allowing legally permissible skill-based RMG apps under certain conditions, the subsequent legislative changes altered the landscape.

WinZo sought to withdraw its complaint during a hearing, but the CCI maintained that competition proceedings are conducted in the public interest and cannot be unilaterally ended by an informant. Ultimately, considering the change in law, Google's discontinuation of its RMG pilot programs, and WinZo's withdrawal request, the CCI deemed further investigation unnecessary. However, the commission reserved the right to reconsider the matter should the relevant provisions of the online gaming law be stayed, struck down, or repealed.