The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has closed its antitrust investigation into Google following the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bans real money gaming (RMG) apps, advertisements, and payment facilitation. The case originated from a complaint by WinZO accusing Google of abusing its dominant position by allowing only certain RMG apps on its Play Store and Google Ads. The CCI said the new law made granting relief impossible, ending the probe without ruling on Google's conduct, according to inc42.com.
WinZO's complaint alleged that Google favored Daily Fantasy Sports and Rummy apps while excluding other RMG apps, creating a two-tier market disadvantaging other developers. In November 2024, the CCI found Google dominant in licensable operating systems for smart devices, Android app stores, and online search advertising in India. The regulator ordered a director general investigation into Google's practices. Google had proposed allowing skill-based RMG apps that comply with legal requirements during the probe, inc42.com reported.
This closure follows the introduction of the 2025 law prohibiting online money games and related advertisements, which directly impacted the case's viability. The CCI clarified that closing the case does not imply a finding on whether Google's conduct was anti-competitive. The probe highlighted regulatory challenges in balancing platform dominance and emerging legislation in India's growing online gaming sector, a market increasingly scrutinized for fairness and consumer protection, per inc42.com.
The CCI's decision to close the case came after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, took effect, marking a significant regulatory milestone for India's online gaming industry. The case closure was announced in September 2026, as reported by inc42.com.