Social gaming provider, Zynga has partnered with the UK based RocketPlay group to produce a new Facebook game called Sports Casino. This sports betting platform, which emulates real money online betting on live events, will be offered as a play-for-free game on Facebook and Zynga, however it is clear that Zynga is getting its players familiar with a sports betting product ahead of potential changes in US gambling legislation. RocketPlay is similar to sports betting brands found in Europe, where over 80% of bets are placed after the opening whistle, and Zynga believes that if and when this type of betting becomes popular in the US, its player base numbering millions will already know the drill.
Sports Casino allows players to place bets on the outcome of hundreds of different sport events in basketball, football (college and professional), baseball and hockey. RocketPlay said that in the near future, it will also add other sports such as rugby, cricket and racing, however for now it is clear that the product is aimed at US gamblers through the choice of sporting events
The president of RocketPlay, Matthew Cullen, who is a former vice president of gambling giant, Betfair, explained that the sports betting product is complemented by five other casino games, including poker, which is a natural fit for sports betting fans.
The deal with Zynga will see this group publish the RocketPlay games on Zynga.com and Facebook, in exchange for revenue generated by the games.
The sides would not divulge further details about the agreement, nor would they disclose the amount of money exchanged in the deal.
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