Google Bans Rummy and Fantasy Sports Ads in India
Google is set to further restrict what gaming companies can advertise to users in India, implementing tighter rules just days before new limitations formally take effect.
From January 21, 2026, Google Ads will prohibit advertisements for rummy and daily fantasy sports that target Indian audiences. The change is outlined in Google’s updated country-specific guidance under its Gambling and Games policy and follows India’s recent legislative crackdown on online real-money gaming and its promotion.
Google said the revision is intended to align its advertising framework with local legal requirements after India enacted new laws banning real-money online games.
Key Policy Changes Effective January 21
Under the revised policy, Google will update its India-specific gambling guidelines and remove rummy and daily fantasy sports from the list of permitted advertising categories. From January 21 onward, such ads will no longer be approved for Indian users.
This marks a sharp departure from Google’s previous stance. Until now, certain gaming formats including daily fantasy sports were permitted in India through a certification system that required advertisers to demonstrate compliance with local licensing and regulatory conditions.
For operators and affiliates, the update eliminates one of the most important paid acquisition channels in the Indian market. Search advertising and app campaigns had been critical tools, particularly during high-traffic sports periods.
India’s Real-Money Gaming Law Drives Shift
The advertising change follows India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming law, passed in August 2025. The legislation targeted online games involving monetary stakes, citing risks related to addiction and financial harm.
Reporting at the time highlighted that the law introduced a comprehensive ban on real-money online games, strict prohibitions on advertising and promotion and limitations on payment processing for affected platforms. Penalties under the framework include fines and potential imprisonment.
Google’s updated ad policy effectively mirrors the scope and intent of that legislation.
Impact on Major Gaming Operators
The legal changes have already reshaped the market. Leading platforms such as Dream11 and Mobile Premier League moved to suspend real-money offerings, shifting focus to free-to-play models following the law’s passage. Numerous smaller startups offering cash-based gaming formats also exited or shut down operations as enforcement tightened.
International operators were not spared. Flutter closed its Indian real-money gaming business through Junglee, with CEO Peter Jackson warning that the ban risked driving players toward unregulated alternatives. In subsequent earnings disclosures, Flutter reported a $556 million impairment linked to the India exit and confirmed job losses associated with the withdrawal. Jackson told analysts the group was pursuing legal and lobbying efforts to seek regulatory reconsideration.
Why Google’s Ad Ban Still Matters
Even with real-money gaming already prohibited, advertising remained relevant for companies attempting to maintain brand visibility, transition users to free-to-play products or promote compliant offerings.
Google’s move also underscores the scale of the opportunity that has been curtailed. A March 2025 report cited by The Economic Times projected India’s online gaming market could reach $9.1 billion by 2029, with real-money gaming expected to account for the bulk of revenues at the time.
With Google ads for rummy and fantasy sports now off-limits, operators are likely to lean more heavily on organic growth strategies, influencer-led campaigns that remain within legal boundaries and partnerships outside traditional gaming channels, as the industry waits to see whether legal challenges or policy shifts reopen the market.
