Facebook to offer real-money poker?

Real-money poker could be coming to Facebook in the New Year, but only in the United Kingdom.

eGR has reported that Facebook have already held exploratory talks with a number of U.K. operators with a view to launching as early as the first quarter of 2012. They have reportedly begun the process of hiring staff for the launch and among the companies said to be a part of the discussions for the eight licenses up for grabs are 888 Holdings and Gamesys.

Zynga Poker is currently on offer for Facebook users and has over 30 million monthly players, though they only play for virtual money – no real cash is involved. Their general manager, Lo Toney, said in November that Zynga Poker had no interest in going after real-money space.

In another interesting move, Facebook recently amended it’s previously unequivocal policy on not allowing any form of online gambling to be advertised on it’s site to “ads that promote or facilitate online gambling, games of skill or lotteries, including online casino, sports books, bingo, or poker, are only allowed in specific countries with prior authorization from Facebook.”

Further developments in this story are expected within the next 48 hours when a formal statement by 888 Holdings is due to be released.