888 to pull RMG Facebook app
Operator to withdraw Magic888 Casino from social platform just two months after the first Facebook real-money app was pulled by Gamesys
888 will become the second operator to shut down a real-money gambling (RMG) app on Facebook with the firm’s Magic888 Casino due to be withdrawn imminently, eGaming Review has learned.
A spokesperson for 888 told eGR this morning that the Gibraltar-licensed operator had discussed the future of its casino app internally for a while but will continue to offer real-money bingo on the platform.
The decision by 888 follows the recent withdrawal of Gamesys’ Bingo & Slots Friendzy app, the first RMG product to be launched on the social network, and re-opens the debate about the long-term future of RMG on Facebook.
Magic888 Casino, which is being withdrawn ahead of the upcoming UK Point of Consumption tax, was the first real-money casino product to be launched on Facebook and features a number of proprietary slots, table and live dealer games.
“It’s no secret that social real-money casino is not doing very well, but on the other hand Bingo Appy is performing strongly and we intend to increase our footprint there,” Itai Frieberger, COO at 888, told eGR
“It makes no sense [to keep Magic888 Casino] before Point of Consumption because it’s going to be very tough to run something which was always marginal,” he added.
Magic888 Casino was the operator’s second RMG app following the release of UK-facing Bingo Appy which currently has over 5,000 monthly users according to Facebook and features 75 and 90-ball bingo as well as numerous slots games.
In May, Gamesys pulled Bingo & Slots Friendzy after sending an email to account holders that they would have to “sadly wave goodbye” to the social network’s first RMG app.
Bingo & Slots Friendzy was first launched in August 2012, using Gamesys’ egaming licence from the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, which was shortly followed by the release of additional RMG apps including 888’s own Bingo Appy and Magic888 Casino.
In February 2013 Bonza Gaming, a joint venture between social casino operator Plumbee and Sportingbet, launched Bonza Slots on Facebook, though Sportingbet’s share of the JV was later bought out by Unibet.
Paddy Power was the most recent operator to release a real-money app on the social network after beta-launching its social sports betting product In-Play, now Paddy Power Social, last August.
Facebook’s head of real-money gaming for the EMEA region Will Collins also recently left his role after two-and-a-half years at the company to start his own gaming consultancy company.
During his time at Facebook, Collins led the launch of a number of RMG products on the social network and his responsibilities have since been shifted to the company’s Dublin office under the leadership of Tarquin Henderson.