Google recently made a decision to pause its plans to expand pay-to-play games on the Play Store, which had been scheduled for rollout in January 2024. This unexpected move has sparked disappointment among various stakeholders within the gaming industry.

Roland Landers, CEO of the All India Gaming Federation, voiced his disappointment, characterizing Google’s decision as arbitrary and detrimental to smaller developers and distributors of pay-to-play games. He emphasized that the initial pilot program, which aimed to introduce skill-based pay-to-play games on the platform, was seen as a positive step forward. However, the decision to limit the expansion has raised concerns about fair market access and competition dynamics.

Highlighting Google Play Store’s significant market share in India, Landers expressed apprehension that such decisions could lead to market distortions and favoritism toward larger companies. He stressed the importance of a comprehensive and inclusive policy framework that supports a level playing field for all participants in the gaming sector.

Landers also underscored the need for regulatory measures to ensure fair competition, citing the urgency of implementing the Digital Competition Bill. He affirmed the federation’s commitment to engaging with Google and governmental stakeholders to address these issues and advocate for equitable practices in the digital marketplace.