Statement from WinZO on Google’s Another Attempt at Compromise for the Ongoing Investigation by the Competition Commission of India

The era of extraction in the digital economy by the global tech behemoth is nearing its end. WinZO is humbled to champion this change, not only for us or the Indian gaming sector, but for tech startups worldwide. 

WinZO welcomes the recent public notice by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) inviting stakeholder comments on Google LLC’s proposed commitments WinZO Games Pvt. Ltd. v. Google LLC & Ors. We commend the Commission for its continued dedication to transparency, fairness, and robust oversight in safeguarding competition in India’s digital ecosystem. 

This case stems from WinZO’s complaint dated 21 December 2022 against Google’s Ad Policy and Pilot program, which selectively allows only Fantasy and Rummy apps on the Google ecosystem, thereby abusing its dominant position by unfairly restricting constitutionally protected gaming companies from fair market access. With Google Play Store controlling 96% market share, for an app-based business, the user acquisition cost for a product is at least 10x higher when distributed off the Play Store. Acting on these allegations, the CCI on 28 November 2024 directed an investigation against Google. In its order, the Commission identified prima facie violations of anti-competitive provisions that prohibit imposing unfair or discriminatory conditions, limiting market development, and denying market access. 

The Commission observed that Google lacked clear and transparent criteria for inclusion in its Pilot Program and inconsistent application of the ads policies. Further, the CCI relied upon evidence that users attempting to sideload non-Play Store apps were shown misleading payment warnings on Google Pay, artificially deterring access and usage. It also flagged Google’s blanket exclusion of casual skill gaming platforms from its advertising inventory, even as similar games continued to be promoted, revealing clear patterns of selective enforcement. Taken together, these actions led the Commission to conclude that Google’s conduct warranted a full investigation under India’s competition law. 

Google has now sought to resolve the matter by offering its third commitment. However, any commitments must be robust and genuinely eliminate the discriminatory practices identified. WinZO is carefully reviewing the details of Google’s new proposal and will continue to participate actively in the CCI’s consultation process. Google’s vague reference to “developing” a commercial model for Real Money Gaming (RMG), without any clear framework, timeline, or objective criteria, is what we would watch out for. 

WinZO notes that the issues raised mirror a global pattern of antitrust scrutiny against Google’s platform practices. Regulators worldwide, including the U.S. DOJ, European Commission, ACCC in Australia, and authorities in Japan, France, the UK, and Germany, have flagged Google’s conduct for self-preferencing, monopolistic control over adtech, and anti-competitive bundling. These investigations highlight growing concerns over platform dominance and gatekeeping. WinZO believes India’s digital and gaming WinZO Games Private Limited Website: www.winzogames.com ecosystem deserves the same level of fairness, transparency, and regulatory oversight in line with global best practices. 

As Google’s commitment application remains under evaluation, WinZO remains steadfast in its commitment to fairness, transparency, and a level playing field in the digital economy. WinZO’s fight in this case is about safeguarding the future of innovation and competition in India’s tech sector, ensuring that no single platform’s discriminatory policies can hinder unlocking India’s potential to become a $60 billion global powerhouse—driving digital exports, job creation, and global leadership. In issuing this statement, WinZO reaffirms its resolve to see that the outcome of this case truly eliminates discriminatory treatment and abuse of dominance. We envision a truly self-reliant India built brick by brick by our citizens, institutions, and startups in symbiotic partnership with global institutions. Our collective memory does not fail on the baggage of colonial extraction; we remain committed to our resolve to level the playing field for not our sector but India’s path to prosperity. This is about securing the right of every Indian entrepreneur to build, to compete, and to thrive without fear, discrimination, or gatekeeping. The fight is not over. It is time to remedy what lies ahead, for the digital economy and Indian values at large. 

WinZO stands firm. And we know we no longer stand alone. 

In humility and resolve, 

Team WinZO Jai Hind!