The Facebook slot app myVegas, developed by PlayStudios for the MGM Grand – one of the biggest casinos in Las Vegas – allows players to cash-in their winnings in selected establishments for prizes that range from free meals to tickets for shows or swimming with dolphins. This pushes the limits of gaming further into the realm of real money wagering. This loophole could be an entry into the Australian market if regulations loosen up.Īnd there seems to be a move towards real-life benefits derived from wins in virtual gambling. This strategy profits from a loophole in Facebook’s policies, as some jurisdictions, such as the United States, don’t consider sweepstakes to be gambling.

Virtual Gaming Worlds, a start-up based in Perth that operates the largely popular Facebook app Chumba Casino, bases its business model on sweepstakes. Virtual Gaming WorldsĪlthough in the strictest sense it is not yet possible to gamble through these apps, some developers are finding ways to monetise gambling-like play. Perth’s newest casinoĬhumba World was developed in Australia, and uses a sweepstakes model to circumvent US regulations on online gambling. Slotomania was the most downloaded app on the iTunes Store in 2012.Īnd industry reports reveal that the worldwide social gambling market far exceeds real money online gambling with 170 million users per month versus 50 million users per month.īut there is still a mammoth discrepancy in terms of revenue: social gambling generates $2 billion per month, while online gambling produces $36 billion. The sign-in page of the slots app House of Fun, for example, says: “This app may post on your behalf, including your high scores, games you played and more”.Įven though there is no conclusive evidence that social casino apps lead to gambling addiction, they do aid in the cultural normalisation of gambling.ĭoubleDown Casino, Slotomania, Zynga Poker, Betting Billionaire and MyVegas are but a few of a myriad of gambling-like apps on Facebook that are becoming increasingly popular. When signing in, players are asked to accept Terms and Conditions that allow for this form of promotion. Much like other social games including Candy Crush, Words with Friends or Angry Birds, these games increase their reach via the user’s own social networks, as they constantly ask the player to invite their contacts to play.

Facebook real money gambling apps