888 launches first real-money Facebook casino
Operator launches second real-money game, and first casino suite, on the social network.
888 has launched its latest real-money offering on Facebook, with MAGIC888 Casino becoming the first cash casino product on the platform.
The launch of MAGIC888 casino follows the release of its Bingo Appy game in December last year “ the second real-money offering to go live on Facebook following Gamesys’ Bingo and Slots Friendzy “ and features a range of the operator’s proprietary slots, table games and live dealer products.
The UK-only game also features a free-to-play offering, and was developed by the operator’s casino product team, working alongside its social gaming division Mytopia, which is headed up by former 888 vice president of business operations Eran Gonen.
“This launch marks a significant extension in our real money social offering,” 888 COO Itai Frieberger commented.
“The successful launch of BingoAppy has indicated the potential that social gaming offers, and we are delighted to expand our gaming portfolio with the launch of our MAGIC888 casino. The app gives Facebook users in the UK the opportunity to enjoy 888’s award winning casino while introducing new features which leverage the social experience Facebook offers,” he added.
The launch of a real-money casino product was originally mooted around the launch of Bingo Appy, while a source within the company also hinted at a possible poker launch. In August last year 888 chief executive Brian Mattingley admitted that the company was “in discussions” with Facebook over a real-money launch.
“Whether we will be accepted and whether the overall strategy of Facebook is to develop real money gaming remains to be seen. I think they are yet to decide, although Gamesys has been successful and I don’t see any reason why other operators shouldn’t be successful,” Mattingley said at the time.
Since the first app went live, Bonza Gaming, the company formed as part of a joint venture between Plumbee and egaming operator Sportingbet, has launched a cash slots offering featuring games supplied via an exclusive agreement with Net Entertainment.
Zynga, which is set to launch UK-facing real-money poker and casino offerings this year under the ZyngaPlusPoker and ZyngaPlusCasino.co.uk URLs, is also thought to have the opportunity to launch a cash offering on Facebook following changes to its exclusive contract with the social network.
An SEC filing announcing changes to the relationship between the companies included a tenet which states: “If Facebook allows real money gambling games on the Facebook website in countries where Zynga has real money gambling games, Zynga will subsequently launch such games on the Facebook web site, if certain conditions are met by Facebook.”