Last year, the Facebook gaming marketing presented itself as a great opportunity for online gambling firms. Now, it seems that the decision to enter this market may have been ill-advised, as several companies are re-thinking their social gaming strategies. Bwin.Party is just the latest company to decide to pull its Facebook app.

This week, Bwin.Party announced that it will be pulling its Sportster application from the Facebook Games marketplace. According to SBC News, the game will no longer be available from January 30, 2015. The company has not provided any details about the closure aside from the date. A message to registered players read: “Dear users, we are sorry to inform you that we are shutting Sportster down on January 30th.

Please note, that you will not be able to log into the game after the scheduled date”. Bwin.Party is not the first company to reconsider its Facebook app. Last year, we also saw 888 and GameSys pull their own Facebook gambling apps. 888 stated that its social gambling app, MAGIC888, failed to perform to expectations.

GameSys, on the other hand, did not provide a reason; however, we imagine that it experienced a similar defeat. It seemed that social betting apps would present more success than social casino games – but the closer of Sportser refutes this. It comes shortly after Paddy Power closed its own Facebook gambling app in December 2014.

Online betting and online casino operators will have to spend 2015 looking for other new gaming outlets. Social gaming does not seem like a particular successful venture, and mobile gaming seems to be the next big frontier.

With more and more tablet computer and smart phone users, there is certainly a great deal of potential in the mobile market – and, gaming operators should consider this avenue.

About the Author

George Anderson
Author George, has over 25+ years’ experience in the Pokies and Casinos industry throughout Australia and New Zealand. Loves to research new Pokies games on the block and follows announcements from top industry providers about their upcoming releases. As soon as a new interesting pokie game appears on his radar, George is there to check it out and give you the scoop before anyone else and tell you about all casino sites where can play the latest game. Before this gig, George worked as Pokie game tester, making him an ideal candidate for this genre of work. He is also an animal lover and a proud owner of three dogs.