Google Ads has announced a major policy update that will significantly impact India’s online gaming and digital advertising ecosystem. Effective January 21, 2026, the platform will ban all advertisements promoting Rummy and Daily Fantasy Sports targeting Indian users. This decision follows the implementation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), 2025, and is aimed at aligning Google’s advertising practices with India’s evolving legal framework.
Under the revised India-specific section of Google’s Gambling and Games policy, Rummy and fantasy sports will no longer be treated as permitted categories for advertising. As a result, real-money gaming companies, fantasy sports operators, affiliate marketers, and digital agencies that rely heavily on Google Ads for user acquisition and brand visibility are expected to face immediate disruption.
Google stated that its gambling advertising framework is designed around strict compliance with local laws and industry standards. The platform allows gambling-related promotions only in approved countries and under defined conditions. These conditions include targeting only permitted geographies, displaying responsible gambling information on landing pages, and ensuring that ads do not target minors.
According to Google’s definitions, gambling involves staking something of value on outcomes influenced partly by chance, with the possibility of winning something of value. Gambling-promoting content includes direct promotion of gambling activities or services requiring legal authorization, such as online casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and games involving virtual currencies with real-world value.
From January 21 onward, Rummy and Daily Fantasy Sports will fall outside India’s permitted advertising categories. Google also reiterated that advertisers must maintain valid licenses and certifications, warning that violations could lead to account suspensions and enforcement action. The move marks one of the most significant ad restrictions imposed on India’s online gaming sector in recent years.
