CCI closes real money games-related case against Google

Agencies The Competition Commission on Tuesday closed a case against Google related to real money games citing "exceptional developments", including the implementation of the Online Gaming Act. In 2022, Winzo Games Pvt Ltd filed a complaint against Google alleging restrictions for Real Money Games (RMG) on Google Play and about advertisement policy, among others. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) in 2024 ordered a detailed probe into the matter. Google made a commitment offering to address the anti-competition concerns, and the Online Gaming Act came into force from May 2026. In a 21-page order, the regulator cited the peculiar and unusual combination of facts and circumstances in the case.According to CCI, the prima facie order recorded only a prima facie view and did not determine that a contravention had occurred, and that the conduct under examination concerned an economic activity that was marked at the relevant time by substantial regulatory uncertainty."Google filed a commitment application and the same was at an advanced stage in terms of Commitment Regulations 2024 in light of which the investigation in the matter was kept in abeyance."Meanwhile, Parliament imposed a prohibition on the said RMG market. Thereafter, Google discontinued the Pilot Program and the relevant advertising permissions in January 2026, before the Online Gaming Act came into force."It is thus a peculiar case in which the legislature has occupied the field," the watchdog said.The Online Gaming Act prohibits online money gaming services and the provisions apply without making a distinction between games of skill and games of chance where money or stakes are involved. CCI noted that continuing the present inquiry would neither restore market access nor improve consumer choice or remedy an ongoing distortion or prevent recurrence of the conduct identified in the prima facie order. "No meaningful relief, therefore, survives in the present matter," the watchdog said, adding that it was closing the present inquiry.CCI mentioned that the validity of the Online Gaming Act is presently under challenge before the Supreme Court, but no order staying its operation has been brought to the notice of the Commission."The Act, therefore, continues to be the governing law of the land," it said."Having considered the matter as a whole, the Commission is of the view that the cumulative market wide impact of the supervening legislation, the absence of any lawful or effective remedy, advanced stage of the commitment proceedings of a commitment offer which was prima facie satisfactory, the discontinuance of the Pilot Program and relevant advertisements, and the informant's request for withdrawal makes continuation of the inquiry unnecessary," the order said.Informant is Winzo Games Pvt Ltd.If the relevant provisions of the Online Gaming Act are stayed, struck down, repealed or otherwise cease to operate, and the commitment applicant indulges in any alleged anti-competitive conduct, CCI said it reserves the right to take cognisance of such conduct. "It is also made clear that this order records no finding on the merits of the impugned conduct," CCI said. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Banks have received a flood of money. Now comes the real test New aircraft order opens door for ATR assembly line in India: CEO An old India Inc habit: Ignore the nudge, wait for the stick Season of change in accounting policy: A simple AI prompt can tell you a lot Is crude oil becoming a financial problem? Can going slow on IPOs revive India's stock market fortunes? Q1 investment numbers look stellar, but are we celebrating too early? Patent Cliff approaching: Can Indian pharma companies repeat past success? ET Prime special: Bigger, Better or Both? Understanding business to figure out the mystery: Power Grid Corp – Part 1 ET Prime special series: 2013 to 2026. Not years, but evidence: Power Grid, Part 2