Google India to Ban Rummy and Fantasy Sports Advertising From January 21

Google will ban advertising for rummy and fantasy sports platforms in India from January 21, 2026, marking a significant tightening of its gambling-related advertising policies in one of the world’s largest digital markets. According to reports, the move applies across Google’s advertising ecosystem, including Search, Display and YouTube, and is aimed at aligning ad policies more closely with India’s evolving regulatory and legal landscape around online gaming. The decision is expected to have an immediate impact on operators that have relied heavily on Google Ads to acquire users.

The policy shift comes amid heightened scrutiny of real-money gaming in India, where legal treatment varies by state and where authorities continue to debate the distinction between games of skill and gambling. While rummy and fantasy sports have historically argued they fall under the “skill-based” category, enforcement actions, tax disputes and court challenges over the past two years have increased uncertainty for platforms and advertisers alike. Google’s latest move signals a more cautious stance toward categories that sit in regulatory grey areas, even if they are not uniformly illegal nationwide.

Industry observers note that the ban could reshape digital marketing strategies for Indian gaming companies, pushing them toward alternative channels such as influencer marketing, affiliate networks and direct partnerships. At the same time, it may benefit platforms with stronger brand recognition that are less dependent on paid digital acquisition. Analysts also suggest the decision could influence other global tech platforms to reassess their own India-specific ad policies, further tightening the operating environment for real-money gaming operators.