Can you get in trouble for gambling on Facebook? As technology advanced, casinos and other gambling companies have taken advantage of this. Once upon a time, you had to look for a physical casino house to enjoy a poker game or a slot machine. Now, casinos and other gambling activities are readily available on the Internet for your pleasure. With the popularity of Internet casinos, you may want to know if you can gamble on Facebook as well. Presently, the world still views gambling from a judgmental perspective. Also, many countries have legal restrictions against the activity. So, what about Facebook? Can you bet on Facebook?
Can You Get In Trouble For Gambling On Facebook?
The answer to this is yes and no because it depends on the situation. If you want to gamble on Facebook, you’ll need to create or join a gambling group. While Facebook expressly states that its users can’t create gambling groups or pages or even personal accounts, it does allow casino owners to advertise on its platform. However, these owners must have permission from Facebook before they can proceed or get in trouble. With close to 3 billion users worldwide, it is no surprise that both gamblers and casino owners will want to take advantage of the platform. Most importantly, Facebook ads have built a solid reputation over the years for being successful. Thus, online gambling operators will want to use this opportunity to promote their services to a wider audience.
So, how do they do this?
Facebook Gambling Policy: How To Promote Gambling On The Site
Before running gambling ads, you must get permission from Facebook first. If you don’t, you risk having Facebook restrict you from placing ads or having them ban your page. Applying for permission is easy, as it is stated in their Online Gaming and Gambling Advertising policy. However, before you apply for this permission, you must first read this policy on their website. With prior approval, Facebook allows operators to promote online gaming or gambling that involves the exchange of cash prizes or other gifts. As long as the gameplay offers advantage winning, they fall under online gambling. The games include poker games, casino games, raffles, sports betting, bingo, lotteries, fantasy sports, and tournaments. Also, this policy applies to affiliate sites connected to online gambling.
Now, some gambling games do not require prior permission from Facebook before their ads can run. These include any game that promotes offline gaming or gambling, like physical betting houses. Secondly, operators can promote casino games that do not involve cash exchange or its equivalent. Thirdly, if a state or a government promotes the lottery, whether directly or through an agent, they don’t need prior permission. Finally, privately-owned lotteries do not require permission before they can run lottery ads. As long as they have a license from the government to operate, they can freely run ads.
Gambling on Facebook For Money: Are There Any Consequences?
This article has told you about promoting online and offline gambling, but what about actual gambling on Facebook? Does Facebook allow it? Are there Facebook groups where people can play games for money? Well, Facebook expressly states that they do not allow people to play games for money on their platform. Their websites state that groups, pages, and events can not and should not promote online gambling. As long as money or any other prize is involved, they do not allow it on their platform. People who want to play games for cash must first apply for written permission from them.
However, in 2020, the police arrested two women in America for running a group that offered games for money and other prizes. The women, Brittany and Tiffany, were in charge of the group that had over 2,000 active members. According to reports, they received more than $81,000 within the three-month period that the group existed. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Liquor Control reported the group for illegal gambling and lottery on Facebook. In
Pennsylvania, the state doesn’t allow its residents to bet on games for money or other gifts.
Thus, the state police charged the women with for gambling.
How Did The Women Run The Group?
According to reports, the women created the group in May 2020 and named it “BID WIN SAVE.” The group members put up posts with game content, and other members paid money to participate. First, the group limited the game slots to a specific number of people. Next, the group spun a wheel only for the people who paid. The person whose slot the wheel stopped at got to receive the winning prize. This prize could be either money or its equivalent like gift cards, kitchen tools, home furniture, etc. For every post a member made on the group, Brittany and Tiffany, received a $40 to $60 fee. Also, they offered extra rewards for those who referred other people to the group.
From this story, it was the state authorities and not Facebook who had the women arrested because of gambling. Subsequently, Facebook closed down the group. Obviously, the women did not get written permission from Facebook before they began their activities.
Hidden Raffle Groups on Facebook
Despite Facebook’s clear policy on not allowing people to play games for money without written permission, people still do so. Like “BID WIN SAVE,” other hidden groups on Facebook host games in exchange for money or other cash gifts. The owners of these groups usually set their groups to “secret” so that you can only enter if someone invites you to join. Even then, some groups put up questions to scrutinize people before they allow them to join. They carry out all these measures to ensure that people do not expose them to Facebook or the authorities.
Like in the real world, raffle groups on Facebook have different themes. For example, there are raffle groups for luxury watches, cars, kitchen items, household items, etc.
Even though Facebook does not allow gameplay for money, people can enjoy games with each other without rewards. There are many benefits to this which this article will examine now.
Here Are The Benefits
- It Is Free
Playing games on Facebook without attaching money as the reward is free. You do not have to pay money to join as you’re not even expecting to win anything at the end. Still, despite this, some groups will first drill you to make sure you’re an actual player and not someone who came to waste their time. As long as you know your casino games (whether you have basic or advanced knowledge), you shouldn’t have to worry about someone denying you entry.
One thing about Facebook (and social media, in general) is that it guarantees you anonymity. So, you have fun behind your keyboard without nervousness or anxiety, as with real life. If you love gaming but have not mastered some skills yet, playing games on Facebook will help you do that. You can even learn how to play if you don’t have any prior experience. There’s no one judging you, and even if they are, you can’t see them.
- An Opportunity To Spend Time With Family and Friends
It’s a busy world with friends and family scattered all over it due to work or school. Through Facebook groups or Facebook invites to games, friends and family can reconnect to enjoy games. These games could be roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, slots, etc. The best part is that you can play together simultaneously and even in pairs against each other. After the games, you all can laugh at each other and retell old jokes. This will help strengthen your bond. Who says you have to be physically present before you can enjoy games at a friendly hangout or a family reunion?
Also, it is a good way to meet new people. Usually, games that allow for multiplayer pair people who don’t know each other before, especially if you’re Facebook friends. This way, you can connect with someone and build a relationship with them.
Conclusion
Can you get in trouble for gambling on Facebook? As you know now, the answer is yes and no. If you’re gambling for money or other gifts, you need permission before you can proceed. If you don’t get approval, Facebook may ban you from their platform if they find out. However, if you’re gambling without the exchange of cash or other gifts, then you’re free to play.
