Google ready to let real money games play if self declared

Google LLC has approached the Competition Commission of India (CCI), promising to remedy the alleged exclusion of certain real money games applications from Google Play.

The anti-trust regulator had ordered a probe against the US tech major in November 2024 following a complaint by online gaming company Winzo.

Google has proposed to allow the distribution of all real money games (RMG) self-declared by developers as permissible under laws on Google Play in India, subject to certain conditions, according to its commitment offer.


Developers will have to submit proof that the app is in good standing with a recognised third-party body that meets certain criteria and "which has been recognised in Google's policies as acceptable."

Such bodies will determine if it is a permissible game of skill.

These recognised third parties will be required to meet objective criteria, and may include industry associations such as the All India Gaming Federation, EGF, and Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports.

"As with other apps distributed on Google Play, RMGs would also be subject to compliance with applicable laws/jurisprudence and Google policies, including the Google Play Developer Distribution Agreement (DDA) and Developer Program Policies (DPP)," Google said.

"To this end, Google will update its DPP to reflect these changes (in RMG policy update)," it added.

It will also replace its pilot programme, which was flagged as discriminatory, by the RMG policy update, "ensuring no further alleged exclusions persist."

In parallel, Google is finalising its approach for an appropriate business model that considers developers' commercial models in the RMG industry, it said.

Once the CCI formally accepts the commitment proposal, Google will start allowing the distribution of compliant RMGs on Google Play within 120 days, it said.

The CCI has sought public comments on Google's offer by August 20.