Facebook is gambling with its members’ trust

[Jazzy]

Facebook's move into gambling is a distasteful one which prioritises commercial gain over user benefit, writes Emma Barnett.



British Facebook users can now gamble on the social network using cash for the first time.



Bingo Friendzy, a gambling app created by British gaming company Gamesys for Facebook, was unveiled earlier this week, provoking outcry from Christian groups, who charge that its cartoon branding breaches rules designed to protect children.



Indeed the protest does have merit – with the design of the app bearing a striking resemblance to digital children’s game Moshi Monsters.



However, children’s safety aside, the introduction of essentially Facebook’s first gambling shop, does very little to enhance to experience of the social network.



An awful lot of people are not opposed to gambling, but do not have the desire to hang out with their friends in a virtual betting shop.



Seeing updates on your timeline of how much your friend has just won or lost during a game of Bingo Friendzy, is not really the social experience most people have signed up to Facebook for.



Facebook slot machines will also soon appear, as will several poker apps for the social network.

Full article



Good idea or bad idea and why?

 

[Flurry]

Oy vey.. Why can't they leave things alone?

 

[Jazzy]

What the heck? Next they'll be setting up a gambling addiction hotline. IMO, gambling has no place being on a social network site.

 

[Sinon]

This isn't really new. Various Facebook games have paid-for products, and many of the biggest (such as Mafia Wars etc) have gambling sections using credits purchased with real life money.

 

[DrLeftover]

Look at it from a stock price perspective.



If it works, it works.



If it bombs... well, they're already down almost 50% from their IPO, so what have they lost?

 

[Evil Eye]

Eh, whatever. I hope they don't allow kids to play, but that's about it.

so what have they lost?

Members who dislike gambling, but that's a good thing because they'd need fewer servers.