gambling

Zynga starts real money gambling games April 3

Here goes Zynga's first try at Lady Luck. The struggling gaming company is officially launching its U.K. gambling sites tomorrow, the company announced in a blog post today.

Zynga is starting out with two gambling brands, ZyngaPlusPoker and ZyngaPlusCasino, hosting more than 160 games. This endeavor is a partnership between Zynga and the U.K.-based poker company Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment to offer online poker and casino games for cash.

ZyngaPlusPoker is an online poker room that features games and tournaments, while ZyngaPlusCasino will have other casino-type games, including a FarmVille slots game. Players can use the … Read more

Google Glass expected to arrive in 2013

CNET Update is listening to songs for tech reporting:

Before Mobile World Congress bombards us with new smartphone announcements, we take a look at Friday's tech headlines:

- Sources tell CNET that Google Glass will go on sale in 2013

- HTC offers $100 credit for old phones, if you purchase a new HTC One

- To beat the MWC rush, LG announces Optimus F5 and F7 mid-range smartphones

- Nevada becomes the first state to allow online gambling

- Billboard Charts now include YouTube views in song rankings

- Songza finds the music to fit your mood, activity … Read more

Nevada becomes first state to allow online gambling

The state known for its lady luck has become the first in the nation to forge into the online gambling world.

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed an online gambling bill today that legalizes Internet gaming, according to the Associated Press.

"This is an historic day for the great state of Nevada," Sandoval said, according to the Associated Press. "Today I sign into law the framework that will usher in the next frontier of gaming in Nevada."

For years, the U.S. has maintained strict laws against online gambling and went after any sites providing Internet poker … Read more

Gambleville: Zynga brings more slots to social gaming

Zynga is preparing to launch a new slots game, bringing even more attention to the social-gaming company's efforts to become a legit gambling destination.

Zynga touted the game, titled Zynga Elite Slots, this week, following news of the company preparing to set itself up for a gambling license in Nevada. Modeled after the computerized slot machines glittering inside the dark casinos of the Las Vegas Strip, Zynga Elite Slots doesn't use real money -- yet.

But don't ask the game's Austin, Texas-based design directors, Josh Gause and Nathan Ratcliffe, when that will happen. All they want … Read more

Zynga looks to foray into online gambling in Nevada

We've heard of betting with virtual currency in Zynga Poker, but how about playing with some bona fide dollar bills?

Zynga made its first move to create real-money gambling games in the U.S. by filing its initial application with the Nevada Gaming Control Board yesterday, according to the Wall Street Journal. Now, the board has to decide whether Zynga will be allowed to hold a gaming license in the state.

The social-gaming giant has made no secret that it'd like to get into the world of real-money gambling. In fact, in October it announced a deal with … Read more

Poker site CEO arrested in multimillion Ponzi scheme

The founder of an Internet poker company has been arrested and charged with operating a Ponzi scheme that allegedly bilked poker players out of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Raymond Bitar, founder and CEO of Full Tilt Poker, was arrested today as he arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Bitar, 40, said in a statement issued through his lawyers that he voluntarily returned from Ireland to face charges.

"I know that a lot of people are very angry at me," Bitar said in the statement. "I understand why. Full Tilt should never have … Read more

The 404 997: Where it's the first day of the rest of our lives (podcast)

CNET TV reviewer Ty Pendlebury joins in on a fun rundown to start the week. We'll chat about a proposed bill that would require marketers to put a disclaimer on doctored advertisements, self-destructing e-mails, a Sony heads-up "VR" display, and something called "nomophobia." Yeah, you probably suffer from it already.… Read more

Zynga online gambling could mean real money, but real problems

Zynga's possible plans to enter online gambling spurs a bipolar reaction for me. The capitalist in me drools over the potential business model, but the do-gooder worries about gambling addiction and sees an epic societal train wreck ahead.

AllThingsD has a big overview of Zynga's plans to enter online gambling. There are a bunch of caveats, of course--Zynga, for instance, has to navigate state and federal regulators--but it's highly likely that Zynga Poker will be played with real money at some point.

From a business perspective, Zynga's gambling exploration is absolutely brilliant. We all know the … Read more

Facebook to host online casinos?

There is a limitless need on the part of social networks to make limitless amounts of money.

If you are Facebook and you might, possibly maybe, have an IPO shindig next year, you have to help potential investors believe that your revenues are rosier than an English country garden.

This might be why reports are emerging from the United Kingdom that Facebook is considering allowing casinos to operate within its virtual friendship facility.

When I say casinos, I mean ones with real money.

The Daily Mail fulminates at the prospect. It cites the knowledgeable people at eGaming Review in insisting … Read more