SOCIAL MEDIA

With the legalization of online gambling activities quickly sweeping through the nation, some of the top sportsbooks and the leading play-for-free poker companies could be in positions to make a move into the real money sweepstakes.

Zynga (ZNGA), which runs a very popular brand of free poker over social networks, has seen its poker brand grow by leaps and bounds over the last year. It’s no coincidence that over that same time, various scandals surrounding UltimateBet and Full Tilt Poker have reduced the number of options for players to play paid poker. Many of those people have turned to Zynga to get their fix.

At the same time, online gambling legislation has been moving toward legalization. New Jersey and Delaware have passed or are in the process of passing bills. Zynga is already in position to swoop in and offer a paid service; it’s just a matter of how and when.

Zynga could very quickly become the ultimate online poker giant as it has already tapped into the world of social networks. It could either keep its brand and start offering pay-for-play poker or even keep one as the family-friendly version and create a new brand for online poker.

There’s also the possibility of it teaming up with experienced companies in the industry; gambling operators such as Wynn (WYNN) could join forces with Zynga to make the ultimate product. Zynga will likely wait and see what transpires with gambling rules and regulations, which should be eased shortly. If that’s the case, it will likely start to make a move into the new territory.

For now, Zynga players can’t win any real money, but it’s fairly clear that with so much money on the line for the company, it’s only a matter of time before it begins offering real money gambling options.

 

http://www.minyanville.com/special-features/sports-business/articles/ZNGA-zynga-onling-gambling-social-media/7/12/2012/id/42334





LOTTERY EXPO 2013
Co-Hosted by PGRI and the Florida Lottery
November 4 to 7, Miami, Florida, Trump Miami Beach Hotel
18001 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
Phone: Domestic: 855.244.2964      International: 786.522.3523 **Use Group Code 10W820 to get our special rate

Schedule:
Monday, November 4: 5:00: Opening Night Reception
Tuesday, Nov. 5: U.S. focused conference sessions; Reception 5:00 to 6:30 pm.
Wednesday,Nov. 6: Joint U.S. and Latin America Sessions; Reception 5:00 to 6:30 pm.
Thursday, Nov. 7
: Focus on Latin America
Three Receptions and luncheons provide lots of time to visit with colleagues

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SMART-TECH 2013

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Thank you to all of you who presented, served on a panel discussion, and participated at Smart-Tech. This was PGRI’s fourth annual event in NYC and has become a great venue for lotteries to delve into the most relevant issues of the hour, and we so appreciate the privilege of hosting it and visiting with you.  The next issue of PGRI Magazine will include an in-depth analysis of the issues we explored.  Too, the conference was video-recorded and will be made freely available to everyone on www.PGRItalks.com.  We’ve received much positive feedback and hope that everyone accomplished their objectives.  Our next event will be held at the Trump Miami Beach Hotel on November 4, 5, 6, and 7th.  Lottery Expo Miami is especially exciting for the participation from our colleagues in Latin America.  The North America track is on Tuesday, the LatAm track on Thursday, and we all come together on Wednesday. Thanks to the support of our commercial partners and sponsors, the hosted receptions held every night of the conference have become a wonderful venue to talk with industry leaders from  all around the world. Please check in at www.PublicGaming.org for PGRI conference updates.  Thank you again - We look forward to seeing you again.  Please e-mail me (pjason@publicgaming.com) with any questions, feedback, guidance, or comments of any kind.   Smart-Tech 2013 was held April 8, 9, 10, 2013 at the Helmsley Park Lane, New York.

Public Gaming /Paul Jason - pjason@publicgaming.com   / Susan Jason - sjason@publicgaming.com  /Office Phone - + 425-449-3000