SUMMARY
- Winzo has filed a complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI), accusing Google of anti-competitive practices and abusing its market dominance.
- The CCI’s Director General is expected to submit findings within 60 days.
- Winzo, a gaming platform, reported significant revenue growth in FY23, reaching Rs 674 crore and achieving its first-ever profit of Rs 126 crore.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has initiated a formal investigation into Google after receiving a complaint from Winzo, a leading gaming platform. Winzo alleges that Google has engaged in anti-competitive practices, including abusing its dominant market position to harm and discriminate against gaming companies.
This is not the first legal action taken by Winzo against Google. In September 2022, the Delhi-based company filed a lawsuit challenging Google’s decision to permit real-money games for fantasy sports and rummy on its platform, excluding other real-money gaming categories.
According to a CNBC-TV18 report, the Director General (DG) of the CCI has been tasked with investigating the matter and is expected to submit a report within 60 days. The findings could have significant implications for the Indian gaming ecosystem and Google’s operations in the country.
Founded in 2018, Winzo offers a diverse portfolio of over 100 games across genres, including strategy, sports, casual, card, arcade, racing, action, and board games. The platform generates revenue primarily through service fees on funds used in real-money games and the sale of digital vouchers.
Winzo has seen impressive growth, with its revenue from operations jumping from Rs 234 crore in FY22 to Rs 674 crore in FY23. The company also recorded its first-ever profit of Rs 126 crore in FY23.
Recently, Winzo partnered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to bolster India’s gaming ecosystem. The initiative supports over 2,000 startups, innovators, and students through mentorship programs, workshops, and hackathons, further cementing its role as a key player in the Indian gaming sector.
If the CCI’s investigation upholds Winzo’s allegations, it could lead to penalties for Google and potential changes to its policies in India, which has been a critical market for the tech giant. The outcome may also set a precedent for future cases involving dominant market players in the gaming and app ecosystems.
