TLDRs:
Contents
- Google proposes new Play Store policy allowing certified real-money skill games in India.
- Apps must be legal under Indian law and approved by third-party gaming bodies.
- Shift follows antitrust pressure from Indian gaming platform WinZO.
- If adopted, compliant apps could go live within 120 days.
In a move that could reshape India’s online gaming ecosystem, Google has proposed sweeping changes to its Play Store and advertising policies.
The proposed changes, revealed this week, come in the wake of an ongoing antitrust case filed by Indian gaming startup WinZO, which has accused the tech giant of discriminatory treatment toward local real-money gaming apps.
Currently, only a narrow set of real-money games, such as daily fantasy sports and online rummy, are permitted on the Play Store under a limited 2022 pilot program. Google’s new policy shift seeks to broaden this scope by allowing additional real-money gaming apps, provided they are legally sanctioned in India and certified as “games of skill” by an authorized third-party body.
Skill-Based Certification at the Core
A key pillar of the new framework is the requirement for external certification. Apps that want Play Store access must be verified by recognized industry bodies, such as the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF).
This move is intended to combat the growing trend of fake or deceptive gambling applications that have previously circumvented app store review systems by hiding their real functionality during inspection.
According to security researchers, some of these counterfeit apps used command-and-control servers to toggle between legitimate and illegal content post-approval, allowing them to rack up downloads and rankings while avoiding detection. Google’s new verification system aims to prevent such loopholes by relying on third-party expertise rather than internal moderation alone.
Market Size Drives Custom Solutions
India’s booming gaming market is a clear driver behind Google’s move. The country’s real-money gaming segment contributes an estimated ₹274.38 billion ($3 billion) annually, accounting for nearly 86% of India’s total online gaming revenue.
This scale has incentivized Google to adapt its global platform policies to suit local regulatory conditions and economic realities.
With this update, Google is signaling its willingness to tailor its global app store policies to better serve specific high-growth regions. The tech giant has proposed a 120-day implementation window, reflecting its urgency in aligning with India’s legal framework and seizing a larger share of the regional gaming economy.
Antitrust Investigation Still Unresolved
Despite the proposed reforms, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has not concluded its investigation into Google’s existing Play Store practices.
WinZO and other Indian gaming firms have long argued that Google’s earlier policies favored select apps while excluding the broader gaming ecosystem.
The outcome of the CCI’s probe may further shape Google’s compliance strategy and influence the final rollout of the updated Play Store policies.
