Zynga to launch real-money gambling games

Here's a tidbit we missed from Zynga's recent financial report: the social publisher has teamed up with online gaming operator bwin.party to begin offering real-money gambling games.

Gamasutra reports the first title out of the partnership is expected to be a Farmville-themed slots simulator, which will launch in the UK in the first half of 2013.

The partnership was described as "a first step into real money gaming" and a move towards a "large opportunity for Zynga" by chief financial officer David Wehner.

Hopefully this lucrative venture will put paid to Zynga's studio closures and staff cuts.

Zynga already publishes a number of casino- and gambling-themed games, but to date none have allowed players to risk real money.

Thanks, GameInformer.