Social gaming is a relatively new phenomenon in the entertainment world. At first, casino operators were warned against advertising and appealing to social network users, but now the two worlds are colliding.
More and more social gamers are being turned into online gamblers, and a new study highlights some concerns about this transition.
The Numbers
According to a Morgan Stanley Blue Paper, social gamblers far outnumber social gamblers. 170 million people play social games while just over 50 million people gamble online.
However, online gamblers spend much more. The report found that social gaming is worth $1.7 billion while online gambling is worth over $35 billion.
‘How Did I Get Here?’
A number of social gamers eventually make the switch to online gambling. The players who are most likely to do so are those that spend money on in-game purchases for social games. A focus group found that players figured that it was pointless to spend money on social games like Candy Crush and Diamond Dash is they weren’t getting any money back.
So, it is easy to see why many social gamers made the switch – but it’s not so clear to the players themselves. One player in the focus group said that they "didn't understand how I got from one place to another, from fun to in-trouble."
Social Gambling is Where Worlds Collide
Today, there are plenty of real-money gambling apps available to users directly on Facebook. They can wager real money on casino games, poker and bingo while taking advantage of the site’s social networking features, such as inviting friends and sharing progress.
Now, gambling-based social networks are making their debut. Sites like ISIS Friends are social networks that revolve around casino games, giving players the
What’s the Danger?
When merging social games and casino games, some things may get lost in translation. Many players note that even when they gamble, they continue to feel as though they are wagering with play money.
It’s quite a dangerous association, and it may be time for gambling regulators to intervene by providing players with safe gambling tools and apps to user alongside social casino games.
Think of the Children
Now is also the time for parents to intervene in their children’s social gaming activities. Social games that simulate gambling, such as Zynga Poker and Double Down Casino, are free to play so there are no age restrictions. However, they do introduce the basic concept of gambling to young people.
While social games won’t turn children into gamblers, it is still wise that young people stay away from these games – it’s the same premise behind warning parents against buying their children lottery scratch-cards for birthday and Christmas presents.
