India Investigates Google Over Policies for Real-money Games

India’s competition oversight body has ordered a probe into Google over its policies for real-money games on its platform

The investigation comes after a complaint by online gaming group WinZO that called Google’s policies restrictive.

WinZO contacted India’s Competition Commission (CCI) back in 2022, after it was excluded from Google’s Play Store, despite some of its competitors being allowed.

Google’s policy had allowed for real-money games which include rummy and fantasy sports but the company was rejected for carrying games in other categories that Google did not accept – including car racing, puzzles and Indian carrom.

“By granting preferential treatment to select app categories, Google effectively creates a two-tier market where some developers are accorded superior access and visibility while others are discriminated against and thus, left with a competitive disadvantage,” indicates a letter from the CCI.