New policy update blocks rummy and fantasy sports advertising from January 2026 as operators face regulatory fallout and financial losses
Google has announced a significant update to its advertising policies in response to India’s decision to prohibit online real money gaming (RMG), marking a major shift for one of the world’s fastest-growing digital gaming markets.
According to the company’s latest policy revision, all advertisements promoting rummy and daily fantasy sports to users in India will be banned starting 21 January 2026. The update forms part of Google Ads’ country-specific Gambling and Games policy and is designed to ensure full compliance with India’s evolving legal framework.
In a statement, Google confirmed: “From January 21, 2026, Google Ads will update the India country-specific section of its Gambling and games policy to ensure compliance with local legal requirements.” While the company did not detail the precise legal clauses being enforced, the move follows the enactment of the Promotion and Regulations of Online Gambling Bill 2025, which was passed in August and formally outlawed the promotion of online real money gaming activities.
Until now, Google had permitted limited advertising for rummy and fantasy sports in India through a strict certification process. Advertisers were required to demonstrate that they held valid licences and complied with state-level regulations, reflecting the fragmented regulatory landscape across the country. However, the nationwide ban has now removed the legal basis for such promotions altogether.
The policy change has sent shockwaves through an industry that had been on a strong growth trajectory. Prior to the ban, India’s online gaming market was forecast to reach a value of $9.1 billion by 2029, driven by a young, mobile-first population and increasing digital payments adoption.
Major domestic platforms such as Dream11 and Mobile Premier League, alongside international operators including Flutter Entertainment, were forced to suspend or withdraw their real money offerings. For Flutter, the impact has been particularly severe. During its third-quarter earnings call, the group disclosed a $556 million impairment charge linked to the shutdown of its Junglee RMG operations in India. The company also reported a net loss of $789 million and announced layoffs affecting around 350 employees in its New Delhi and Bengaluru offices.
Despite these setbacks, Flutter has retained a free-to-play version of its products in the market and has indicated it will continue to explore future opportunities. CEO Peter Jackson told investors that the company is pursuing “all the lobbying and legal challenges that you’d expect” in an effort to encourage a regulatory review, signalling that major operators remain hopeful that India’s stance on real money gaming could evolve in the years ahead.
