Facebook has entered the world of online gambling with its first real-money bingo and slots app launched this week.
The Jackpotjoy Bingo and Slots Friendzy app has been created by developer Gamesys and is open to players in the UK over the age of 18.
The website’s largest gaming partner, Zynga, said it also planned to introduce real-money gambling versions of its games next year.
Facebook intends to use age-gating technology to ensure under-18s and “vulnerable people” are unable to access the app.
Facebook is not directly involved in the creation and operation of the app, but has permitted Gamesys to offer the app.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The social network typically takes a 30% cut of transactions on its network, but would not confirm if that was the case with this title, saying it was “commercially sensitive information”.
Gamesys, one of the largest UK online gambling companies, operates the Sun Bingo and Heart Bingo, as well as the UK’s leading bingo-and-slots website Jackpotjoy.com.
The company said users would have access to self-help tools to reduce the risk of gambling addiction, including the ability to set spending limits.
‘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. ‘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.’
The Friendzy app comprises of a series of 90 ball bingo and slots games which will offer UK-based Facebook players the chance to play with and win real money.
‘As the UK’s leading online Instant Win and Bingo operator we are committed to extending our products to a wider adult audience so we’ve reinvented our exclusive Bingo and Slots games to appeal to the UK Facebook community,” said Jackpotjoy Managing Director Michael Saunders, “This marks an exciting turning point for the industry and a milestone for the Gamesys business.’
