Yes, and I think OP was trying to point out Google Adsense allows "paid links" to be displayed on the same website: "You own a website, I own a website, I pay $100 to Google who decides when to show my ad on your website and keep $60 for itself."
In other words, if you pay Google (30% more money)[1] to display the links on another website, you are alright. However, if you directly pay the website owners (roughly 30% less money) for them to add a paid link on the same site at the same spot, you are running afoul of Google's rules. So, as a business owner, to be in the good books of Google, you incur 30% extra expenses. I am not trying to criticize Google here (I use multiple Google services), just pointing out how many small business owners see this.
More explanation:
<a class="rhtitle" href="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?longurl" target="_top" title="google.com/Chromecast"><span>Online Content Now on TV</span></a>
The code above is an actual Adsense advertisement (I have removed/changed the code and id everywhere). There is no no-follow anywhere there. So, it appears as if it is alright to insert a link with no no-follow as long as you are paying Google. Correct me if I am wrong.