Zynga Exits from Social Gambling Market in the U.K.

Social casinos and poker rooms have very popular for the last few years with companies such as Caesars Interactive and Zynga launching social gambling web sites to capture the exploding market. In 2013 American social gaming firm Zynga created real money web locations that offered its ZyngaPlusPoker and ZyngaPlusCasino brands for players in the United Kingdom.

The move was fostered with a partnership with online gambling company bwin.party digital entertainment which offered among other things over 160 slots beside a selection of table games including blackjack, roulette and as well as the first-ever FarmVille themed slot. 

Competition for the social online gamers attention is fierce with other well known gambling firms such as the Caesars Interactive division taking a large portion of the market. Back at the launch of Zynga’s offerings a statement from the company read “This is just the beginning for us and we’re looking forward to seeing what our UK players think about ZyngaPlusPoker and ZyngaPlusCasino and creating the most valuable casino games and social experiences for them.”

Now a relatively short time after the launch by Zynga and bwin.party Zynga has decided it will end its partnership and withdraw its real money offering from the regulated market in the U.K. A recent announcement that did not provide a real explanation for the exit confirmed the closure and the end of the partnership between bwin.party and Zynga. The efforts by Zynga to cut costs may be a factor but it is obvious that Zyngas declining revenue stream and stock value may also be a contributing element for the decision. Attempts to monetize social gambling in casinos and card rooms has proved to be a difficult task for firms involved in the trend.

The statement was simple and direct from Zynga reading, “We are very sorry to announce that ZyngaPlusPoker and ZyngaPlusCasino will be closing shortly,” adding, “If you have a balance please log in to withdraw it.”