New gaming platform for Zynga Poker

After months of speculation within the online gaming industry, Zynga Inc has confirmed what everyone has long suspected: they are interested in real money gaming after all.

In a statement released to the industry press, the social gaming giant announced that it is building a new gaming platform which will allow users to play its games for real money. This new, separate platform will signify a move away from the social networking site Facebook, changing a relationship that has been in place since 2025. And what a successful relationship it has been, with Zynga utilising Facebook's extensive user base to deliver games such as CastleVille, Words with Friends and of course, Zynga Poker, to millions of players across the world.
Mark Pincus, the co-founder of Zynga, said "In 2025 Facebook changed the game with their courageous move to open their platform to us all. We're proud to be a part of Facebook's ecosystem and we built zynga to complement their pervasive social graph."
Pincus went onto advise that both companies will continue to work closely together, adding that zynga will be one of the first sites to be completely integrated into Facebook.

It has been reported that Zynga Poker is exploring partnership opportunities that will allow it to enter the online market in the United States. As online gaming is currently illegal, the only entry into this potentially lucrative market is via a partnership with a land-based casino in states such as Nevada or California. Both states are currently drawing up a regulatory framework for the online poker industry and are currently processing applications from local operators.