Zynga drops real-money gambling pursuit in US

Zynga won’t continue down the avenue of investing into the real-money gambling market in the US, according to the publisher’s recent financial report.

The company – which has heavily invested in the UK gambling market – hadn’t officially announced its intentions regarding North America prior to this week, but a pair of moves in 2012 seemed to suggest it was in strong consideration.

Last fall, Zynga hired former senior vice president of online gambling network 888 to be its new COO. The company filed for a gambling license in the state of Nevada later in the year as well.

Still, it appears the social game firm is calling it quits for the time being on potential gambling options for regions outside of the UK. Instead opting to focus on free-to-play gaming, at least in regards to the US market.

"Zynga believes its biggest opportunity is to focus on free to play social games," the report reads. "While the Company continues to evaluate its real money gaming products in the United Kingdom test, Zynga is making the focused choice not to pursue a license for real money gaming in the United States.”

Zynga will continue to evaluate all of its priorities against the growing market opportunity in free, social gaming, including social casino offerings."