Winzo, an online gaming company, has approached the Delhi High Court challenging YouTube鈥檚 decision to block its channel. The company filed the petition seeking interim injunction against Google for blocking its channel, 鈥淲inZOOfficial鈥 for allegedly violating its online gambling content policies.
On June 20, Justice Prathiba M. Singh asked Rohan Ahuja, an advocate representing Google, to accept the notice and permitted him to seek further instructions from Google for upcoming hearings. Winzo argues that its games are skill-based, not gambling or betting games, and that skill-based games are not prohibited.
At the time of writing this report, the Winzoo鈥檚 YouTube channel, WinZOOfficial, is inactive. However, the application is still available to download from Google鈥檚 Play Store and Apple鈥檚 App Store.
What Does Google Policy Say?
In an email sent on June 16, Google stated that WinzO鈥檚 content repeatedly violated YouTube鈥檚 Sale of Regulated Goods policy. YouTube says it prohibits content that promotes, facilitates access to, or links to online gambling or betting sites unless the content complies with local laws or has Google鈥檚 permission. It says that it also removes content that promises guaranteed returns.
Recently, YouTube updated its policies on promoting online gambling content. YouTube now bans any method鈥搃ncluding verbal and visual references鈥 of redirecting viewers to gambling sites or apps, except those certified by Google Ads. Google鈥檚 announcement indicates that these updated policies took effect on March 19, 2025.
Why It Matters:
The definitions of 鈥済ame of skill鈥 and 鈥済ame of chance鈥 remain unsettled. Gaming laws in India fall under the Public Gaming Act of 1867, which makes only games of chance illegal, not games of skill. After India鈥檚 independence, gaming laws became part of the state list under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, granting states the authority to enact their own gaming laws.
While most states prohibit gambling and betting, with exceptions like horse racing and certain card games, Goa and Sikkim have legalised various forms of gambling and betting. The inconsistency in online gambling laws across states arises from different interpretations of the terms 鈥済ame of skill鈥 and 鈥済ame of chance.鈥
Game of Skill vs. Game of Chance:
According to an article written by the Founding Partner of Apex Hatchers, Yash Kapadia the main characteristics of games of skill are
Depends on a player鈥檚 expertise, not on the chances of winning.
Players can improve through practice and strategy.
Individual skills mainly determine success, even though chance plays a role.
Chess, Carrom, Rummy, Teen Patti, Horse Racing, Fantasy Sports are a few examples of games of skill.