WinZO’s Statement on Google’s Commitments Before CCI

The era of unchecked digital extraction by global tech giants is nearing its end. WinZO is humbled to stand at the forefront of this change—not just for India’s gaming sector, but for startups worldwide.

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

This case originates from WinZO’s complaint dated 21 December 2022 against Google’s ad policy and Pilot Program that selectively allowed only Fantasy and Rummy apps, while excluding other constitutionally protected gaming platforms. With Google Play Store controlling 96% of market access, such discrimination inflates user acquisition costs tenfold for excluded businesses. Acting on these concerns, the CCI on 28 November 2024 ordered a full investigation, finding prima facie evidence of anti-competitive practices including lack of transparency, discriminatory enforcement, and misleading payment warnings that deterred users from sideloading apps.

Now, Google has submitted its third set of commitments. While we will review them carefully, any resolution must eliminate discriminatory practices in full. References to “developing” a model for Real Money Gaming (RMG) without a clear framework or timeline only raise concerns about intent and execution.

Importantly, these issues mirror global antitrust scrutiny of Google across the U.S., Europe, Australia, Japan, France, the UK, and Germany—underscoring a consistent pattern of self-preferencing and monopolistic control. India’s digital economy deserves the same fairness and oversight, in line with global best practices.

WinZO remains steadfast in ensuring this case results in a level playing field for India’s tech ecosystem, free from dominance or gatekeeping. This fight is bigger than our company—it is about securing India’s future as a $60 billion global powerhouse, driving exports, job creation, and innovation.

We reaffirm our resolve: this is about the right of every Indian entrepreneur to build, compete, and thrive without fear or discrimination. The fight is not over—but the tide is turning.

WinZO stands firm. And we no longer stand alone.