Google To Pilot Fantasy, Rummy Games On India Play Store

Beginning September 28, Google will kick off a year-long pilot that will allow locally incorporated daily fantasy sports (DFS) and rummy games to list on its India-specific app marketplace Play Store.

“Starting September 28, 2022, Play will begin a limited-time pilot allowing for the distribution of DFS and rummy apps to users in India by developers incorporated in India,” said Google in a support page. 

A Google spokesperson added, “Through this pilot program, we are taking a measured approach that will help us collate learnings and retain an enjoyable and safe experience for our users.”

The selected developers will have to comply with all local norms including ensuring safeguards so the app is only accessible to users over 18 years of age. In addition, the participants will also be liable for the ownership of all requisite permits and to restrict access to their product in states where such games are prohibited. 

The interested parties have been told to submit an application form on the company website. 

DFS refers to games where users can create simulated teams modelled after real athletes and the outcome of the game depends on the actual performance of the player in the real world. On the other hand, Google has defined rummy as a set of card games in which a player has to arrange valid card sets, on the lines of a similar offline format played conventionally in India. 

Amidst the jargon of terms of conditions, what stood out was Google barring applicants from using the tech giant’s in-app billing system for purchases.

“Your app will NOT be purchasable as a paid app on Google Play, nor use Google Play in-app billing”, noted Google. 

While Google has now cleared the air around the matter, the specified condition may either allow DFS and rummy apps to use external payments systems or the tech giant may altogether bar these users from spending money on these apps during the pilot programme.

Google, for years, has forced a majority of the apps listed on the Play Store to use its in-app billing system and takes a hefty margin out of it. Interestingly, with the pilot, Google has shied away from deploying its system, likely in a bid to wash its hands off any responsibility arising out of any adverse event. 

Industry Backs Announcement

Reacting to the move, the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS) in a statement said, “We welcome this pilot from Google as it acknowledges the rising popularity of India’s fantasy sports and rummy industry. FIFS will work with its members to ensure this pilot runs smoothly.”

“This is a welcome move for India’s fast-growing online gaming and developers community. We are hopeful that this is the first step among many to come as many more skill-based games could benefit from distribution and reach of the Play Store’, said Paytm First Games’ COO Sudhanshu Gupta.

In a tweet, All India Gaming Federation’s Roland Landers lauded the move and said that the pilot project will give a big boost to the ‘online skill gaming industry.’

Other stakeholders in the e-gaming industry also welcomed the move saying that the pilot would kickstart a safer gaming experience that will weed out ‘unscrupulous’ elements operating in the space.

“It is a positive move for the Indian online gaming industry which is growing at a CAGR of 38% and poised to reach $5 billion by 2025. This step will allow players to essentially play on platforms that follow best practices. Furthermore, Google’s measured approach to a safer user experience will encourage responsible gaming and help legitimate skill gaming operators grow while eliminating unscrupulous fly-by-night operators,” E-Gaming Federation’s CEO Sameer Barde told Inc42. 

Meanwhile, many critics called for expanding the scope of the announcement, urging the tech giants to add more games to the mix.

“Overall, the basis of selection of just two games is a positive move but still discriminatory considering the spectrum of pay to play games that exist and how many play them as a profession. Indian courts have repeatedly recognised gaming as a livelihood. Most recently in Karnataka last year. One can hope that this gets acknowledged by Google too”, said Esports Players Welfare Association’s director Shivani Jha.

In a different take, WinZO cofounder Saumya Singh Rathore called the ‘selective exclusion’ of real money games except rummy and fantasy sports ‘discriminatory’ and ‘unreasonable.’

“This is yet another example of arbitrary platform policies and misuse of dominance. Google must rethink this decision as the impact, from a commercial standpoint, could be to give a boost to apps that are permitted versus those that aren’t, to the extent of 70-75%, and can cause long-term market distortion in favor of the already entrenched player and discourage innovation,” added Rathore.

Mired In Regulatory Red Tape

The space has been bearing the brunt of the regulatory crackdown by authorities. From bans to unclear regulation, the space walks a tightrope between norms and illegality. 

A case in point being, the Karnataka government, in October last year, had banned betting and wagering in online games. Interestingly, the order was overturned by Karnataka High Court and is pending before the apex court for a review. 

While Tamil Nadu has formed an expert panel to examine issues related to online gaming, Kerala High Court had last struck down a government order that banned online rummy.

Telangana also has been working on framing rules for the space. Rajasthan’s draft bill on online gaming which was released in June this year was met with fierce criticism after it appeared that the proposed law altogther skipped real money games such as rummy from under purview. 

Another issue plaguing the industry appears to be the regulatory quagmire around games of skill and games of chance. Critics have previously claimed that online games of skill are different from games of chance as the skill-based gaming industry does not constitute gambling or lottery. 

“The question that has always remained in the online gaming space is whether it’s a game of skill or a game of chance. The other issue is whether the game involves real money or does not involve real money. The third thing is whether the game is something like betting on an event which has not happened thus far or may happen in the future. These are the three main issues,” a legal expert recently told Inc42 while summarising the issues before the industry. 

According to a report, India was home to more than 390 Mn online gamers at the end of 2021, generating revenue of nearly $1.3 Bn.

Such has been the upward trajectory of the space that Games 24×7 joined the coveted unicorn club earlier this year. Apart from this, the space also boasts of MPL and Dream11 as another bunch of unicorns in the space. Even Nazara Technologies made its debut on stock exchanges last year.