Google has officially updated its advertising policies in response to India’s strict new prohibition on real money gaming. The search engine giant confirmed that all advertisements for rummy and daily fantasy sports targeting Indian users will be banned effective from January 21, 2026.
This policy shift directly aligns with the local regulatory landscape which has turned hostile toward the sector.
Compliance with Local Legal Requirements
Google released a statement clarifying the timeline and scope of the changes in India.
“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,” the company stated.
While the specific local mandates were not detailed in the statement, the decision is a clear consequence of the Promotion and Regulations of Online Gambling Bill 2025. Passed in August, this legislation effectively outlawed the promotion of online real money gaming. Under the new rules, advertisers must possess valid licenses for any region they target.
Previously, Google managed a certification process that allowed operators to advertise if they could demonstrate compliance with state level regulations. That pathway is now closed.
Financial Impact on Major Operators
The ban has caused significant disruption in a market that was projected to reach a value of $9.1 billion by 2029. Both domestic giants like Dream11 and Mobile Premier League and international leaders like Flutter have been forced to withdraw their products.
The financial toll has been heavy. During its Q3 earnings call, Flutter executives revealed an impairment charge of $556 million linked to the removal of its Junglee offering. The group reported a net loss of $789 million and was compelled to lay off 350 employees across its New Delhi and Bengaluru offices.
Industry Pushback and Future Outlook
Despite these setbacks, Flutter remains engaged with the market through a free to play version of its content. Peter Jackson, CEO of Flutter, indicated to investors that the company is pursuing every available avenue to challenge the prohibition.
Jackson stated the company is undertaking “all the lobbying and legal challenges that you’d expect” to push for a review of the current ban.
