Google Ads India Gambling Policy Update: RMG Ads Banned, Prediction Markets Integrated
According to recent reports, Google Ads has revised its India-specific gambling and games policy following new national regulations. The update restricts advertising for certain real-money gaming formats while reshaping how prediction markets appear across Google’s financial products, signalling a broader shift in platform-level compliance.
Key Developments
Google Ads has confirmed that advertisements for online real-money gaming (RMG) formats—specifically rummy and daily fantasy sports—are no longer permitted for India-targeted campaigns.
The policy update aligns with India’s tightened legal framework governing online gaming promotions. Earlier certification-based approvals for these formats are no longer valid under the revised rules.
Advertisers must continue to hold valid licences where applicable, but licensing alone no longer qualifies RMG platforms for paid promotion through Google Ads in India.
This marks a move from selective approvals to a category-level restriction for specific gaming verticals.
Industry & Expert Context
The update follows the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025, which restricts the promotion of online real-money gaming services.
Previously, Google Ads had attempted to balance state-level regulatory variations by introducing an advertiser certification process. That approach allowed limited promotion of rummy and fantasy sports platforms under strict compliance checks.
However, regulatory clarity at the national level has prompted Google to standardise enforcement across India, reducing ambiguity for advertisers and agencies.
In parallel, Google Finance has announced the integration of real-time prediction market data from Kalshi and Polymarket, placing market-based forecasting alongside traditional financial indicators.
Why This Matters
For gaming operators, affiliates, and digital agencies, the Google Ads India gambling policy update significantly narrows customer acquisition channels.
RMG brands that previously relied on paid search and display advertising must now reassess growth strategies, including organic visibility, partnerships, and platform-approved alternatives.
At the same time, the inclusion of prediction market data within Google Finance highlights a nuanced distinction between regulated financial forecasting tools and gambling-style gaming formats.
For advertisers, this reinforces the importance of understanding category definitions, not just licences.
What Happens Next
Industry observers expect increased scrutiny across other gaming-adjacent formats, including skill-based contests and hybrid monetisation models.
Platforms may invest more heavily in content, influencer marketing, and app-store optimisation to offset paid media limitations.
Meanwhile, Google’s expansion of financial data products suggests continued investment in compliant, data-driven market insights—especially as its finance tools expand in India.
Final Takeaway
The Google Ads India gambling policy update reflects a clear regulatory pivot: stricter enforcement for real-money gaming ads alongside selective expansion in compliant financial data products.
Digital marketing agencies such as Digilogy track these shifts closely to help brands interpret policy changes, assess risk, and adapt growth strategies in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.
