Real-cash gambling on U.K. Facebook

LONDON, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Facebook says it has launched its first real-cash gambling game, although only users in Britain will be able to view the app.

Bingo Friendzy, developed by London-based online gambling company Gamesys, will let users aged 18 and up play games for cash prizes.

A Facebook spokeswoman stressed the game was not a joint venture, saying Bingo Friendzy had been developed solely by Gamesys.

"Real money gaming is a popular and well-regulated activity in the United Kingdom, and we are allowing a partner to offer their games to adult users on the Facebook platform in a safe and controlled manner," the spokeswoman told the BBC.

Facebook's largest gaming partner, Zynga, said it also planned to introduce real-money gambling versions of its games next year.

The social networking site normally takes 30 percent of transactions on its network but would not confirm if that was the case with Bingo Friendzy, calling it "commercially sensitive information."