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| Facebook is to launch its first ever 'real money' betting app in partnership with Paddy Power |
Paddy Power In-Play! is
the first product to allow sports gambling with real money on the social
networking site, and will mark a turning point for businesses eager to
capitalise on its millions of users.
It is currently being
trialed as an app for desktop users of Facebook in
the UK, where gambling laws are more relaxed than the US, before being rolled
out in the next few weeks.
The app will allow users
to bet on horse races, football matches and other sports.
Paddy Power is no
stranger to social media, using Twitter and
Facebook to monitor and interact with its fans and their interests, with their
Twitter account description offering 'Betting news and banter served with a
side of mischief'.
Facebook faced criticism
last year after introducing a range of casino games that allowed children to
gamble with 'virtual' money.
Members, who must be 13
or over to sign up to the site, can play a wide range of games traditionally
associated with betting, including roulette, slot machines and card games.
Once the user turns 18,
targeted gambling adverts become visible for the first time.
Yesterday the bookmaker
insisted that player participation will be subject to strict age verification
checks, and that the game cannot be viewed by users under the age of 18.
Peter O’Donovan, managing
director of Paddy Power Online said: "The launch of the first real money
sports betting product on Facebook is testament to Paddy Power’s e-commerce and
technology capabilities.
"We are pleased to
partner with Facebook on this pioneering work."
Will Collins, Head of
Social Casino partnerships at Facebook said: "Given the popularity of
sports betting in the UK, we're delighted to be welcoming Paddy Power onto the
Facebook gaming platform with an innovative gaming experience."
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