PopCap Games, a division of Electronic Arts, has expanded its social games portfolio with the launch of a casino game on Facebook.
Acquired by Electronic Arts in 2011, the casual games provider has unveiled free-to-play, slot-based social game. Lucky Gem Casino, will be exclusively available on Facebook and initially house seven customised luck-based games.
The slot games available at launch are free to play with payouts in virtual currency and feature imagery and characters from some of PopCap's most popular games, including Bejeweled, Bookworm, Chuzzle, and Zuma, with more to be added over time.
Social games like Bejeweled Blitz, Zuma Blitz and Solitaire Blitz have attracted tens of millions of players every month and have some of the highest engagement rates in the industry.
"Casino-themed social games are one of the fastest growing genres on Facebook," said Dennis Ryan, vice president of worldwide publishing at PopCap.
Lucky Gem represents PopCap's first offering in the social genre and in the coming months the company intends to evolve the casino, adding more games and community features.
