Zynga enters first licensed partnership
New Facebook game launched following agreement with slots and bingo company Slingo.
Social gaming company Zynga has entered into its first licensed partnership, signing an agreement with slots and bingo game developer Slingo.
The partnership has brought about the immediate launch of Zynga Slingo, a variation on the New Jersey-based company’s eponymous offering, which has gone live on Facebook.
It features a number of social elements which distinguish it from Slingo’s flagship product, such as leaderboards and ‘medals of honor’, while an option to challenge friends to play on Facebook will be added further down the line.
Zynga Slingo is not a real-money gambling offering, although Slingo does offer real-money gambling in US land-based casinos via a distribution agreement with IGT.
San Francisco-based company Zynga explained in a statement this week that the new game is distinct from its Zynga Bingo product, which was given a beta launch last month, saying: “The two are quite different “ it’s like comparing chess to checkers.”
Earlier this week Zynga’s chief operating officer John Schappert admitted the company was “interested” in exploring real-money gambling opportunities, a break from the Power 50 operator’s stance before its December IPO.