Google India to Ban Rummy, Fantasy Sports Ads from Jan 21

Jan 19, 2026 - Google recently announced a tightening of its advertising rules for real-money gaming (RMG) categories in India. What will be banned by Google? Rummy and daily fantasy sports advertisements. From January 21, 2026, Google India will disallow all advertisements for rummy and daily fantasy sports on its platform, according to reports. 

This India-specific policy decision was announced on January 7, 2026, by Google and comes almost six months after India’s federal law came into effect imposing a blanket ban on all RMG in the country.  The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), 2025, was passed by the Parliament of India in August 2025 and effectively outlaws all forms of online gaming that involve real-money participation.

Google's policy decision is widely being viewed as a result of PROGA.

With PROGA, India has enacted a far-reaching regulatory change for its online entertainment market, effectively outlawing all forms of online gaming that involve real-money participation. The legislation prohibits the operation, promotion or facilitation of paid gaming platforms, covering activities ranging from fantasy leagues to skill-based competitions and betting services.

PROGA Legislation

PROGA prohibits online money games even if they involve skills or chance. Enforcement measures, according to reports, include penalties, financial sanctions and restrictions on payment systems, with banks and digital intermediaries barred from enabling transactions linked to such platforms as stricter advertising controls are rolled out.

Even though there have been no reported instances of PROGA being enforced, but passing of the legislation has led the gaming industry to become cautious and many RGM companies have stopped operations.

The immediate impact on the RMG sector has been significant. Companies that once depended on cash-driven gameplay models have reported declining revenues and are now reevaluating their business strategies, with several undertaking layoffs and internal restructuring.

Multiple Court petitions have been filed challenging the ban on Constitutional and economic grounds. Stakeholders argue that skill-based RMG businesses created jobs and generated tax revenues apart from attracting investments and nurturing entrepreneurs.

Before PROGA, India’s RMG sector had created more than 200,000 jobs, supported over 400 startups and generated around $2.3 billion in taxes, reports quote industry data.

Industry Concerns

Industry representatives and economists have cautioned that the legislation could disrupt employment across the ecosystem and stall growth in a sector once considered a major driver of digital innovation. There are also growing concerns that consumers may migrate to overseas or unregulated websites, undermining the regulatory intent.

Government officials, say reports, have defended the legislation as a necessary intervention to curb financial exploitation, addiction and related criminal risks, particularly among younger users. At the same time, authorities have clarified that competitive Esports, casual gaming and free-to-play formats remain lawful and are expected to expand under the revised framework. However, industry experts say that such a transition would be slow because of the conditions attached to these segments.

With the Supreme Court set to examine the legality of the prohibition early in 2026, the law faces heightened judicial review that could shape the future trajectory of India’s digital gaming industry.

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