Google real money gaming case closed
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has closed a case against Google over alleged restrictions on real money games, citing the Online Gaming Act and other exceptional developments. The case was filed by Winzo Games Pvt Ltd in 2022, alleging restrictions for Real Money Games (RMG) on Google Play and issues with advertisement policy.
In 2024, the CCI ordered a detailed probe into the matter, but Google made a commitment to address the anti-competition concerns. The Online Gaming Act came into force in May 2026, which prohibits online money gaming services, including games of skill and games of chance where money or stakes are involved.
According to the CCI, the prima facie order recorded only a prima facie view and did not determine that a contravention had occurred. The conduct under examination concerned an economic activity that was marked at the relevant time by substantial regulatory uncertainty. Google filed a commitment application, which was at an advanced stage in terms of Commitment Regulations 2024, and the investigation was kept in abeyance.
Meanwhile, Parliament imposed a prohibition on the said RMG market. Google discontinued the Pilot Program and the relevant advertising permissions in January 2026, before the Online Gaming Act came into force. The CCI noted that the legislature has occupied the field, making it a peculiar case.
New Gaming Act Prohibits Services
The Online Gaming Act prohibits online money gaming services, and its provisions apply without making a distinction between games of skill and games of chance where money or stakes are involved. The CCI stated 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.
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No meaningful relief survives in the present matter, according to the CCI, which is why it decided to close the present inquiry. The validity of the Online Gaming Act is presently under challenge before the Supreme Court, but no order staying its operation has been brought to the notice of the Commission.
The CCI mentioned that the Online Gaming Act continues to be the governing law of the land. Having considered the matter as a whole, the Commission is of the view that the cumulative market-wide impact of the supervening legislation, the absence of any lawful or effective remedy, and the informant’s request for withdrawal makes continuation of the inquiry unnecessary.
The informant, Winzo Games Pvt Ltd, had requested withdrawal, and the CCI has reserved the right to take cognisance of any alleged anti-competitive conduct if the relevant provisions of the Online Gaming Act are stayed, struck down, repealed, or otherwise cease to operate. The order records no finding on the merits of the impugned conduct, according to the CCI.
End of Google Investigation
The CCI’s decision to close the case against Google marks the end of a long-running investigation into the company’s practices regarding real money games. The Online Gaming Act has changed the rules for online gaming services, and the CCI has taken this into account in its decision-making process. It has affected the regulatory environment.
Google will not face further action in this case.
The CCI’s decision is based on the current law.
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The Online Gaming Act is a significant development in the regulation of online gaming services.
The CCI will continue to monitor the situation.
The case against Google is now closed.
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge
The Supreme Court will hear the challenge to the Online Gaming Act.
The closure of the case is also influenced by the fact that the Commitment Regulations 2024 provide a framework for companies to address anti-competitive concerns, and Google had made a commitment to address these concerns, which was at an advanced stage when the investigation was kept in abeyance. This commitment, combined with the regulatory changes brought about by the Online Gaming Act, has led the CCI to conclude that continuation of the inquiry is unnecessary.
