How the First Online Gambling Facebook Apps are Changing the Times

First, there was Bingo Friendzy, and more recently, 888 Holdings has done a deal with Facebook to launch real-money gambling applications on its social media platform…

What does this mean for social media as we know it, and society in general? Will it change how we gamble online? What does Facebook and its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, stand to gain from these changes?

How it all started

Back in August 2012, the critics came out of the woodwork to stamp and shout about the latest Facebook application. On this occasion, the press listened as well, as this time the social media site had taken the unprecedented step of allowing a real-money application to be made available to its users. Web forums, online blogs and national papers were suddenly all talking about Bingo Friendzy, which is by no means a low-stakes game. Enticing players with juicy jackpots of £50k and over, it requires people to deposit £10-£500 on registering, via ‘easy’ methods like debit and credit cards. If you’re wondering what the maximum deposit allowance is, then make sure you’re sitting comfortably, because it’s a staggering £20k. The game is only available to play in the UK, as gambling laws are much less restrictive here than in other countries like the United States.

Not only did experts claim that Facebook was turning from its original mission of creating a way for friends to stay in touch, towards becoming a “front for gambling,” but they were also concerned that the cartoon-like characters used in the app were extremely similar to a website popular with children, called “Moshi Monsters.” Many people already suspect that players under the age of 18 get around Facebook’s age restrictions by either lying about their age, or accessing areas and apps that they are not meant to, by using a family PC.

In December 2012, it was announced that 888Holdings (owners of sites like 888Ladies and 888Poker) had done a deal with Facebook’s owners to get approval for real-money casino, bingo and slot games to be made available, where players are able to wager as much as £500 at a time.

How will these online gambling apps affect society?

Whilst no-one can say for sure, experts such as Mark Griffiths, Professor of Gambling Studies at Nottingham Trent University, certainly have an opinion on the matter. Back when Bingo Friendzy launched, he spoke of his “extreme concern about the graphics and imagery,” believing that the app would attract young children and underage gambling; whilst other critics vented their concerns to the Advertising Standards Authority. The ASA concluded that sufficient age restrictions were in place to ensure that those under 18 years of age could not access, view, or play the game, and as such overturned the complaint.

With the recent announcement about further ‘real gambling’ apps coming to Facebook courtesy of 888 Holdings, such as Bingo Appy, Professor Griffiths has stepped forward again to warn that the social media giant runs the risk of turning today’s children and teenagers into the “problem gamblers of tomorrow.” He bolstered his claims with recent research statistics, which he says have proved time and again that the main factor in the development of problem gambling is free online games, and that players then are enticed to start playing for real money, based on the unrealistic odds of winning which they’ve become accustomed to whilst playing free games.

How does Facebook stand to benefit from real-money apps?

Many people would say that a year ago, they would never have expected to see a gambling game on their favourite social media site. After all, it’s a wholesome and fun way of keeping up with your favourite friends and brands isn’t it? Unfortunately, gambling is big business, and Facebook understandably wants to cash-in on this new market.

All of these new real-money app developers have to pay a substantial fee to the site, and popular online gaming gurus, Zynga, who themselves hope to release real-money apps in the future, are said to already account for 12% of Facebook’s profits. The more companies, therefore, that hop on-board Facebook’s gravy train, the more likely that Mr. Zuckerberg’s profits will rise dramatically.

So, what’s the answer?

Well, it’s unlikely that anyone will be able to stand in the way of the almighty force that is Facebook. Countries like the USA effectively ban all online gambling, so the only probable way to stop the availability of these new gambling apps in the UK would be if we were to take the same stance as the Americans. That would mean no more online casinos or bingo – a step which would cripple much of the UK’s gambling industry, as well as cause an outrage among their loyal players.

For parents who are concerned that their child may get unauthorised access to these new applications, the best way to prevent this from happening is to keep an eye on what they’re getting up to on their personal or shared family PC.