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Facebook is accused of many ills, from inadequately protecting personal data to increasing commercialisation, but now a new complaint has entered that list – the growing proliferation of gambling sites it hosts.
A slew of casino style games in which players exchange real money have appeared on the site in recent months, prompting observers to voice fears that it could foster ‘tomorrow’s generation of problem gamblers’.
It follows the signing of a deal between Facebook and the online gaming firm 888 Holdings to provide custom bingo, casino and slot machine games to British users, each allowing bets of up to £500 to be put down for a chance to win jackpots running into the tens of thousands.
Concerns exist that though safeguards have been built in to prevent under-age use children could still access the apps from shared computers - even though they must obtain their parents Facebook login details and password, in addition to passwords for each app.
At present children can play free gambling titles that don’t pay out any money, but when they turn 18 are bombarded by adverts for the real deal.
Mark Griffiths, professor of gambling studies at Nottingham Trent University , said: “You win virtually every time you play one of the free games. Research has shown again and again that one of the biggest factors in developing problem gambling is playing free games online first.
“These children and teenagers today are the problem gamblers of tomorrow.”
The new games are only available to customers in the UK where gambling rules are more relaxed.
A Facebook spokesperson said: "Real money gaming is a popular and well-regulated pastime in the UK. A number of experienced, responsible gaming companies use the Facebook platform to provide secure games –similar games are readily available elsewhere online. Prior to the introduction of these games through Facebook, we consulted with many experts, including the UK Charity GamCare, the leading provider of information, advice, support and free counselling for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.
"We plan to continue working closely with GamCare and support their campaigns going forward."
