Facebook is entering the sportsbetting industry thanks to a new partnership with Irish bookmaker Paddy Power. The new sportsbetting app allows players to bet on horseracing, football matches, and the world’s biggest sporting events using real money to gamble.
The app, entitled Paddy Power In-Play!, will initially be exclusive to computer users, while mobile gamers will be restricted from accessing the page, for the time being. Paddy Power intends to roll out the sportsbetting app in the UK as part of a trial run, where the gambling industry is welcomed as a vital stream of income for the economy.
According to Paddy Power, the sportsbetting app will include rigorous age verification checks to prevent minors from accessing the page. Players must be at least 18 years of age to use Paddy Power In-Play!
The partnership was proudly pronounced from representatives of both parties. Paddy Power executives were delighted to be part of a groundbreaking launch of sportsbetting applications through Facebook. Will Collins, Head of Social Casino partnerships at Facebook, was in turn equally excited about the new agreement.
“Given the popularity of sports betting in the UK, we’re delighted to be welcoming Paddy Power onto the Facebook gaming platform with an innovative gaming experience.”
Facebook came under fire in 2012 when it introduced play-money versions of casino games like slots, roulette, and other card games. Critics were up in arms that the games were targeted to users as young as 13 years old, and argued that allowing teenagers to gamble with virtual money would lead to uncontrollable gambling habits.
Collins insists that the new agreement with Paddy Power will strictly prohibit any players under 18 from accessing the sportsbetting app to prevent any underage gambling – real or play money.
