Facebook Friendzy ‘Real Money’ Online Gambling Appears to Target Little Ones

Submitted by Jagajeet Chiba on

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Jagajeet Chiba

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With the “real money” online gambling launch of Bingo & Slots Friendzy on Facebook in Great Britain Tuesday, courtesy of provider Gamesys, mums across the nation have begun condemning the deal.

Indeed, the new app appears to have the look and feel of a child’s game.

"If my child came and asked me for money to play on this, I'd be livid," one mother  said, speaking with TechEye.com. "But then I couldn't blame him, it looks like a very simple child's game." 

"Shame on Facebook for approving this app and of the app makers who think that it's OK to trick young adults into gambling by offering them what blatantly looks like a kids game," the mother continued.

Another said: "The bingo and gambling element of this app looks to be hidden behind a retro children's game, meaning it's going to appeal to younger children and teens. Using Alice in Wonderland references also doesn't help paint the app in a mature light. 

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"As a parent I'd be angry if I found my child on this. However, the way that it's designed looks as though the app is willingly trying to get kids hooked. A child won't think twice about putting money on an app that looks like this, but what concerns me is not only how much money could be lost but also the knock on gambling effect that could be kicked started through an app such as this."

Tamlin Magee of TechEye.com points out what should be obvious to anyone who happens to stumble upon this game:

Gamesys might as well be peddling the morally grey-area cash equivalent of putting high-sugar junk food at the front of the supermarket till, only much more damaging for the pocket, and, potentially, the child. 

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com

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