The power of Facebook Casino Games
Written On 5/15/11 By Recentpoker.com staff writer Frank Polliern :
Casino games provider now has 1.2 million users
The power of social networking was again demonstrated this week on Facebook, where Double Down Interactive, a supplier of casino gaming on the social site, reported that its user numbers had passed the 1.2 million mark.
The company escapes the rigours of persecution for offering online gambling in the United States – and Washington state in particular – by dealing in virtual ‘social' monetary units and tournament play, although it is based in Seattle.
Double Down Interactive was recently profiled on Techflash as a start-up to watch, with founder and chief exec Greg Enell revealing that virtual currency has enabled DoubleDown Interactive's success, along with good games that keep users coming back for more.
Users are given a daily allowance of 20 000 free virtual chips to play the games, but can buy more in a price range between $3 (15 000 chips) and $100 (a million chips). These are used in tournaments and competitions against other players, for non-cash prizes.
This business model had proved so successful since the company started operations in 2008 that Double Down Interactive has been hiring additional staff that includes a former Real Networks executive to manage business development opportunities.
Enell told Techflash that casino games are timelessly popular, with massive player demand which his company is answering in a legal and entertaining manner.
"We’ve married a legal virtual currency model with great multiplayer and single player casino games to provide consumers with a fun casino experience that’s always on and accessible from the comfort of home," said Enell.
"At our online casino, players come together from all over the world to play slots, blackjack, roulette and video poker. They buy virtual currency, they sit at tables together, they chat, they “friend” one another, and they win or lose together. It’s a fun, social and dynamic entertainment experience that’s proving very popular, with more than 300,000 consumers playing each and every day."
Dissuaded from entering the conventional online casino sector by the legality confusion in the United States, Enell found his opening through the social networking opportunities afforded by Facebook, and the use of the virtual currency and tournament business model.
DoubleDown Casino quickly became a popular destination for social networkers with an urge to compete on casino games.
The company strives to maintain high interest levels through different events and new game additions to its inventory.
"We understand what attracts and retains the world’s 300+ million casual gamers, where most casino game developers can’t say the same," claims Enell.
"They traditionally build online casinos for the hardcore gambler who is wagering real money. We’ve incorporated popular casual game mechanics into the casino experience, thus giving it a broader appeal to a much larger audience. Our casual background gives us a big advantage and we’ll continue to expose it over time as we release new features and functionality within the DoubleDown Casino."
Remarkably, Enell started the company with no financial assistance, bootstrapping it with his own money to reach profitability in only four months and continually re-investing in the growth and diversity of the enterprise.
