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One of the immediate beneficiaries of this week’s Facebook IPO should be the Internet gambling industry. Facebook has been making overtures towards the multi-million dollar sector via its hugely popular Zynga Poker platform.
While Facebook may have to wait a little while before offering “real money” online poker to US players, the company could look to profit from jurisdictions where Web gambling is already clearly legal.
Facebook Needs Revenues
From Brian K. Trembath of Casino Affiliate Programs:
Facebook will almost certainly be looking for new revenue streams in the post-IPO environment and that means real-money gambling could emerge sooner, rather than later. Zuckerberg and company have been warming up to the gaming industry for a while and it seems as though that relationship will continue to grow.
Don’t be surprised to see Facebook offering real-money gaming options for residents of countries where online gambling is legal in the very near future. Given its mature market, the UK is a likely starting point for this effort. And don’t be surprised if Facebook becomes the center of gaming action when intrastate poker goes online in states like Nevada.
Trembath notes that Facebook will have a few million new bosses (the shareholders), all of whom will be looking for lucrative revenue streams.
Online Gambling Affiliates Should Have No Problem Tapping Into Facebook
Trembath adds:
How real-money Facebook gambling will work is still something of a mystery, but for gaming affiliates, it should be a top notch tool for new player acquisitions. Facebook users are open to spending money on gambling already.
Facebook IPO Already Having Positive Effect on Economy
And the money is already being spent before the IPO even becomes official.
Jessica Guynn of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Bay Area is already on a bit of a spending spree:
The new tech boom officially gets underway Friday when Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg rings Nasdaq's opening bell remotely from the company's Menlo Park, Calif., headquarters, launching the largest initial public offering of stock in Silicon Valley history.
The social media company's projected $100-billion valuation heralds a new era of prosperity in a region famous for minting fortunes.
Wealth has trickled down to employees and investors who cashed in their shares ahead of the IPO on private exchanges. Others are spending in advance of their big payday, fueling an economy that's already humming thanks to the Bay Area's thriving technology sector.
Alejandro Botticelli, Gambling911.com
