Google has proposed major changes to its Play Store and advertising policies in India, aiming to allow more real-money gaming apps on its platform. This move comes as part of an effort to resolve an ongoing antitrust case involving a local gaming company.
India’s competition authority recently invited public feedback on a proposal from Google, where the tech giant offered to allow all real-money games on the Play Store. These games must be self-declared by developers as legally allowed and recognized as “games of skill” by an approved third-party organization.
Under its current pilot program, launched in 2022, Google only permitted select games like daily fantasy sports and rummy, following a Supreme Court ruling that classified them as games of skill and not gambling. However, this limited access led to complaints, prompting a formal investigation.
Google’s new proposal suggests ending the pilot and opening the platform to a broader range of real-money games. Developers would need to provide proof from a third-party body that their game qualifies as a game of skill. Recognized industry associations such as the All India Gaming Federation or E-Gaming Federation could serve this purpose.
The company also plans to update its Developer Program Policies and finalize a business model for these developers. Additionally, it proposes allowing advertisements for games of skill, provided the game is certified as such.
If approved by the Competition Commission of India, the policy changes for Play Store distribution will begin within 120 days, while advertising changes will take effect within 150 days.
A Google spokesperson stated, “We’re pleased the CCI is market testing our proposed framework for real-money games in India. This development reflects our constructive discussions with the CCI and the Indian developer community along with our commitment to building a more open and safe ecosystem for RMG apps across Google Play and Google Ads.”
Real-money gaming currently makes up 86 percent of India’s online gaming revenue, generating about ₹274.38 billion in 2024. While its share may drop slightly to 80 percent by 2029, the market is expected to grow significantly.
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