Real-Money Gambling in the U.K. Coming on Facebook

Social gaming giant Facebook has stepped into real-money gambling in the U.K. with Bingo Friendzy, a bingo app. Gamesys created the app and it's the first app that will allow users to gamble for real money instead of Facebook Credits. The app has a series of filters that makes it available only to users that are over the age of 18 and protects problem and underage gamblers.

Although Facebook hasn't announced plans for a real-money poker platform, it says plans for real-money online slot machine games are coming in the weeks ahead.

"People love playing new types of games with their friends on Facebook and real money gaming is a popular leisure activity in the UK," said Julien Codorniou, Head of EMEA Gaming Partnerships at Facebook Europe. "We're delighted to be working with Gamesys to enable them to offer their games on Facebook so that people can enjoy playing more games with their friends."

Talks began with Gamesys and other operators as Facebook began exploring the launch of real-money gambling late in 2011. Even though Facebook hasn't entered into a joint venture with Gamesys (it may look for other partnerships for its real-money platform), a spokesperson stated that Facebook has "absolutely no plans to go with any other operator,” to eGaming review.

A Facebook spokesperson told PokerNews.com on Tuesday that it is not looking to expand into other markets at this time. "We have launched this in the UK as it has a mature and very well-regulated gambling market, with a respected operator which provides its existing customers with great products and experiences."

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