WinZO has accused Google of restricting gaming applications that offer real-money games from being listed on the Google Play store.

After Winzo Games, a gaming platform, accused Google of discriminatory tactics, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) requested an investigation into the tech giant.

The inquiry focuses on concerns that Google's policies may be discriminatory and harmful to competition in the market for real money gaming apps.

WinZO Games has alleged that Google Play restricts download of apps offering real money games of skill. So, these games have to be downloaded from their websites, known as ‘sideloading.’ When users access their website for sideloading on android devices,

India’s antitrust regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has initiated an investigation against Alphabet-owned Google for allegedly providing a significant competitive edge to daily fantasy sports (DFS) and Rummy applications while potentially hurting other real-money gaming (RMG) apps.

In its order, the CCI found Google to be prima facie in violation of antitrust provisions of the Competition Act due to the abuse of dominant position

The CCI’s investigation comes just days after it fined Meta Rs 213.14 crore for “abusing” its dominant position in relation to WhatsApp’s controversial 2021 update to its privacy policy – showing the growing antitrust scrutiny on tech giants in India.