Is Facebook a Threat for Online gaming Operators?

Social network giants have revolutionized the world to a great extent. Connecting millions of people across the world, these sites have also proved to be excellent sources for advertising and branding of products. Even the online bingo world has acquired an extensive place at the social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and many more to lay emphasis on their products. Most of the new sites that make a launch in the bingo world receive their first source of recognition. All major sites like X Bingo, Bingo Cams, iBingo, Wonder Bingo and a lot more sites had already received fame and recognition before they made into the gaming world. Now, the latest name all set for a launch in the industry is Bingo3X. And, this site too has acquired been tagged with an amazing amount of fame through the social networking sites.

Facebook has become one of the prime social networking sites attracting around more than 800 million users of the world. Even bingo games have become an essential activity put across at the Facebook pages. These days there are bingo apps available at the Facebook pages where gaming fans can try playing the bingo games. There are numerous bingo apps that are put forward at the pages of Facebook where in gamers can play games. One difference of playing bingo at the Facebook pages are that one can play them for free. Although, there are few apps where one can play by depositing funds else even there is the option of receiving Facebook credits.

Facebook recently made an announcement in UK stating that the company has plans of getting associated with gaming services. And, this has become a cause of great concern for the internet gaming operators. The concern is not that the industry will lose its 800 million users to Facebook but this could also lead to minors getting involved with gambling activities. Numerous operators, gambling charity owners and even UK politicians have voiced their opinion on this issue, especially of the under aged people getting involved with gambling. These concerns have also been stated as hypocritical for internet gaming sites receive the benefit of advertising their products in Facebook for free.

Last year, all advertisements in the pages of Facebook were prohibited due to the US laws but now the company does allow gaming operators outside US to advertise. At that time Facebook remarked that they would monitor and keep check on the advertisements and the ads related to gambling would be shown for only those above 18. Facebook proved to be an incredible opportunity for internet gaming operators to promote effective branding of their products. When Facebook, moved ahead to announce its plans of offering their own gambling applications, many operators moved ahead to join the underage gambling campaign. Opponents have stated that there are around 3 million users in the age between 13 and 17 and a million other users that pretend to be over 18 that are involved in the gambling activities at social networking sites.

A senior manger of a UK bingo site expressed his views on the aspect of Facebook’s competitive advantage and said that around 50% of the population in UK has Facebook accounts and this provides them a good base get connected with gambling operations. Online bingo sites try their level best to target groups of people through effective marketing campaigns that will create the interest to bingo online. TV advertising is the key source of branding and is an expensive one too. Online advertising is done through various forms but again is associated with a significant value of costs. However, Facebook puts forward the opportunity of advertising for its users at no costs. And, this has been one of the major advantages over the traditional online among operators.

Opponents of gambling who were not pleased with these activities and do not treat gambling addiction are not happy with the move made by Facebook. The director of Promis Recovery Centre, Dr Robert Lefever who treats the gambling addicts has commented a few words on the introduction of gambling to Facebook. He said that Facebook opening its doors for the gambling market is a cynical approach by the gambling industry to find new markets and making gambling look acceptable to the masses. Young people will definitely be inclined towards these activities thinking that if Facebook has given its approval then one can certainly gamble for fun. On the other hand, land based clubs are not concerned about Facebook’s plans and the new policy and could still continue to appeal the players in the usual manner.

As far as advertising is concerned, Facebook is definitely an important tool to promote strong branding and all new sites are being focused on these pages. The new launch Bingo3X that we have been hearing quite often on the pages of Facebook will also soon take its place in the industry. This bingo sites is the work from the Dragonfish network and puts forth a great bingo experience for the gamers.