The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has ordered an investigation into Google’s restrictive policies surrounding real-money gaming apps on its platform. The probe comes after a complaint filed by WinZO, a prominent Indian online gaming platform, which has accused the tech giant of discriminatory practices in its Play Store guidelines. The CCI’s decision further escalates the regulatory challenges that Google faces in India, where the company has already faced fines for anti-competitive behaviour in the mobile operating system market.
Allegations of Discrimination Against WinZO
WinZO, which offers a variety of real-money gaming options, including fantasy sports and casual games, raised concerns about Google’s updated policy, which the company claims unfairly blocks certain types of games from its Play Store. In 2022, WinZO filed a complaint with the CCI, arguing that Google’s gaming app policy had excluded its platform despite accepting similar offerings from competitors. While Google allowed games like fantasy sports and rummy on the Play Store, WinZO’s offerings, which included games such as carrom, puzzles, and car racing, were not approved.
The core issue at the heart of WinZO’s complaint is what it describes as a preferential treatment granted by Google to certain gaming categories. The updated policy allowed some types of real-money games, but categorically rejected others. WinZO’s platform, which straddles multiple genres, was denied access despite meeting similar criteria to its competitors. In the CCI order, it is stated that this policy effectively creates a “two-tier market,” where select developers gain preferential access to the Play Store, while others are left at a competitive disadvantage.
Google’s Response and Ongoing Scrutiny
Google has yet to issue an official statement in response to the CCI’s investigation, particularly since the complaint was filed outside regular working hours in India, and coincided with the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. However, this scrutiny from Indian regulators comes at a time when the company is already facing multiple legal challenges in the country.
Google’s dominant position in the Android operating system market has already been scrutinised in India, with the company having been penalised in the past for allegedly abusing its market power. The company has been accused of using its control over the Android ecosystem to favour its own services, particularly in areas such as pre-installed apps and app store policies. These concerns have led to multiple investigations and penalties from the CCI and other regulatory bodies, adding to the mounting pressure Google faces in India.
Impact on the Indian Gaming Industry
India’s real-money gaming market has been rapidly expanding, with a surge in the popularity of fantasy sports, rummy, and other online gaming platforms. The government has been taking steps to regulate this growing sector, with multiple legal frameworks under consideration to ensure fair play and safeguard users. However, Google’s policies, particularly around the Play Store, have become a flashpoint for disputes.
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WinZO’s allegations, if proven, could have significant implications for the way Google treats gaming apps on its platform. The CCI investigation may ultimately lead to changes in how Google handles real-money gaming apps in India, which could affect other developers and gaming platforms in the country. WinZO’s complaint highlights a critical concern in the digital ecosystem—how large platforms like Google manage competition and the visibility of third-party apps.
Looking Ahead
As the investigation unfolds, the outcome may set a significant precedent for the tech industry in India. The CCI’s decision to probe Google’s policies reflects the growing scrutiny of big tech companies in the country. With the government looking to establish clearer rules for the gaming sector, it remains to be seen whether Google’s Play Store policies will be overhauled to ensure a level playing field for all developers, or whether the company will continue to face legal challenges in the future.
For now, WinZO and other Indian gaming companies will be closely watching the progress of the CCI’s investigation, which could have wide-ranging implications for the digital gaming landscape in India.
