Zynga Exploring Online Gambling

Mike Gupta, social gaming leader Zynga's Vice-President Finance and Treasurer, recently spoke in-depth to digital financial media company TheStreet about his company's future direction, including its plans for online gambling.

Gupta told TheStreet that his company is "exploring" its future in online gambling, calling it an interesting compliment to what Zynga does in its core business. Specifically, he referred to its Zynga Poker asset, which is the world's largest online game with over 30 million monthly average users or players.

If, as Gupta hints, Zynga Poker could provide a space for future development, then this is something that could change the entire online poker landscape. It was only a few months ago that the San Francsico-based company confirmed it is holding talks with potential partners to host online gambling and poker for real money.

Zynga is the largest provider of social games, including a casino package, for Facebook, so it is no surprise too that TheStreet asked the VP about the fallout from Facebook's IPO. In particular, Gupta was asked whether the whole situation has negatively affected social media in general.

Gupta said of course that he cannot comment specifically on Facebook and where they're trading. But he did say his company was focused on delivering long-term shareholder value, and that one of the best ways to do this is to build and develop the most fun and accessible social games.

There could be clues in that comment about what the future holds for Zynga and its customers.