Facebook Embraces Online Gambling

[The Wooster]

Facebook Embraces Online Gambling

Bingo Friendzy becomes the first Facebook game to allow real-money gambling.

Facebook, the social network and duckface emporium many can't live without, has officially entered the online-gambling market with the launch of Bingo Friendzy. Developed by online bingo operator, Gamesys, Bingo Friendzy is the first Facebook game to let users gamble with real-world cash rather than virtual currency. The game is currently only available in the UK, and you have to be at least 18 to play. The company is also planning to release a real-money slot machine game in the coming weeks.

The "casino game" genre is one of the fastest growing on Facebook, despite the fact that, until now, players had to gamble with virtual currency that couldn't be redeemed for cash. It's a highly competitive market; social giants, PopCap and Zynga, are both trying to muscle their way in, while virtual gambling company, IGT, recently picked up DoubleDown Casino developer, Double Down Interactive, for a smooth $500 million.

Julien Codorniou, Facebook's head of gaming for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said that social network is talking to other gambling companies about getting blackjack, poker and roulette-based titles onto the service.

"Gambling is very popular and well regulated in the UK ... for millions of bingo users it's already a social experience [so] it makes sense [for us] to offer that as well," he said.

Source: Gamasutra [http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/175443/Facebook_officially_enters_online_gambling_market.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GamasutraNews+%28Gamasutra+News%29]



Permalink

 

[Eric the Orange]

Now I've heard of these gambling apps for phones. There very popular so it only makes sense that they would spread to facebook. But my question is it possible to get money back out of the game. I know you have to buy in game currency with real money but can you get real money with in game currency. Because if you can't I fail to see the point. There are many gambling games with fake money that you have to pay nothing to play.

 

[Zer_]

And here we have Facebook's solution to their plummeting stock values.

 

[Worgen]

You missed the perfect opportunity to use this image.

I'm very disappointing in you.

 

[The Wooster]

Putting ANY money into Facebook is a gamble right now.

Oh very nice. Wish I'd thought of that one.

 

[scatsly]

I knew it was just a matter of time before this happen. Hmm, this actually this gives me a real gem of an idea too but, I'll keep it to myself for now just like the all the other ones.

 

[Draskinn]

You missed the perfect opportunity to use this image.

I'm very disappointing in you.

and now i have a new desktop...
/shame

 

[dangoball]

You missed the perfect opportunity to use this image.

I'm very disappointing in you.

and now i have a new desktop...
/shame

That makes two of us.
Except one thing...
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyebuy0DDr1qd07l7.gif

OT:
Like other, I wonder how long is this gonna stay. For once it being illegal in USA and "think of the children" that's gonna sprout all over not too long after FB-gamble is up.

 

[CleverCover]

Is this going to give birth to stories of how people lost their entire savings from playing more Facebook games?

How much of a profit does Facebook make off of this?

So many questions...like how many people will make Facebook accounts to play these games when they can't make the trip to Las Vegas...or Atlantic City...

 

[NLS]

I can't help but wonder how this will be affected by states in which on/offline gambling is illegal.

They'll probably keep it regionally locked, since it's already restricted to the UK and 18 years of age. They don't wanna risk getting blocked out by countries/states that prohibit gambling.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I can't help but wonder how this will be affected by states in which on/offline gambling is illegal.

Republicans announcing that use of the internet will send you to hell

 

[doublenix]

Putting ANY kind of money into Facebook is a gamble right now.

Zing!

 

[doublenix]

Parents, hide your credit cards. I can see this turning into a bunch of tweens screaming "All in!" while staring at their screens, parents being mystified until the next CC bill comes in.

 

[Cheeseman Muncher]

The Daily Mail is going to have a field day.

 

[Berithil]

So, they're just coming up with a far less subtle way of getting peoples money. At least they are making it 18 and older.....well, it will work until kids start making duplicate profiles with fake birthdays. Rule of thumb, on the internet, age restrictions are next to useless.


Captcha: are you seeking a postgraduate degree? WTF, captcha? Seriously?