In another step towards offering real-money gambling, Zynga has filed a “Preliminary Finding of Suitability” with the Nevada State Gaming Control Board (GCB) for an interactive gaming licence.
The social gaming giant, who has been beset by falling share prices and an exodus of senior management, has already inked a partnership with bwin.party digital entertainment targeting poker and casino games in the UK and European markets in the first half of 2013.
Analysts estimate the review of the application by the GCB could take a year or more, with real-money play only launching three to four months after that in Nevada State.
Barry Cottle, chief revenue officer at Zynga said, “As we’ve said previously, the broader U.S. market is an opportunity that’s further out on the horizon based on legislative developments, but we are preparing for a regulated market.”