Facebook now allows adult UK users to play games for real money – Gamesys first to App Center with ‘Bingo Friendzy’

UK-based online gambling holding Gamesys has launched a new Facebook app called ‘Bingo Friendzy’, the first to hit the social network’s App Center that lets UK users aged 18 and over to play an online game for real cash prizes.

We knew this was coming, but now the wait is over.

Gamesys, which operates the UK’s leading Bingo and Slots website Jackpotjoy.com, says the new Friendzy App comes with a series of 90 Ball Bingo and Slots games that enable adult Facebook users in the UK to play for real cash.

Comments Julien Codorniou, Facebook’s Head of EMEA Gaming Partnerships:

“People love playing new types of games with their friends on Facebook and real money gaming is a popular leisure activity in the UK.

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.”

Facebook has effectively partnered with Gamesys to fuel the distribution of the new game on the social networking service, and plans to team up with more gambling companies in the future.

Gamesys says a series of controls should protect users under 18 years of age, as well as “vulnerable people”. Also, in line with gambling legislation, all users will have access to a number of self-help tools to limit their spending and exclude themselves from playing at anytime.

Zynga, Facebook’s largest gaming partner by a margin, is also planning to venture into the real-money online gambling space in the near future.

And who knows, maybe some day this will become legal in the US (it will, eventually).

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