India’s Competition Commission (CCI) has launched an investigation into Google over discriminatory practices in its policies for real-money gaming apps on the Play Store.
The probe was initiated following a complaint from online gaming platform WinZO, which accused Google of favoring select competitors, Reuters news report said.
The issue stems from Google’s updated gaming app policy, which allows certain real-money games, such as fantasy sports and rummy, while excluding platforms like WinZO that offer a wider range of games, including carrom, puzzles, and racing.
WinZO first raised its concerns in 2022, claiming Google’s policies create an uneven playing field by granting preferential treatment to specific app categories, disadvantaging others.
This latest investigation adds to Google’s regulatory challenges in India, where the company has previously faced significant penalties for anti-competitive practices in the Android market.
The CCI has directed its investigative wing to complete the inquiry within 60 days. Google has yet to respond to the probe, with the announcement coinciding with Thanksgiving in the United States.
