Online gambling coming to Facebook, Slots and Bingo to launch Tuesday 7th August 2012

Online gambling will be  coming to Facebook and players will be able to stake real money and win real money.

Facebook will on Tuesday 7th August 2012 introduce online casino slots and bingo to UK residents aged 18 and over.

Online Gambling on Facebook has been a highly contentious issue, with rumours that Zynga, the makers of the most popular facebook game farmville were planning to launch real money betting of their popular Poker Facebook game.

Facebook will launch a Slots and Bingo Friendzy app as a joint venture with Gamesys, one of the UK’s top gambling operators.

Facebooks move into online gambling is a risky move and may result in a public backlash from concerned parents who may fear their children getting exposed to gambling via the popular social platform. On the business side, it may just be what the company needed as its share price has lingered around the $20 price for the last 5 days having started its initial public offering at $38.

Julien Codorniou, Head of Gaming for Europe, Middle East and Africa was quoted as saying the launch into the UK was an obvious first because of how well regulated online gambling is in the UK. He said Facebook would in the future possibly release blackjack and roulette casino games.

There is no word on the intention to venture into other regions but this should be possible in the future depending on how well the casino slots and bingo fair.

Facebook’s share price is currently at $21.79.