March 12 (Reuters) - Mobile games maker Glu Mobile Inc launched its first real-money mobile gambling gamethrough UK mobile betting game designer and operator ProbabilityPlc, sending the U.S. company's shares up as much as 27percent.
Online gambling is growing in popularity in the UK. ZyngaInc and Facebook Inc are also looking to tap themarket through partnerships.
Zynga plans to offer real money casino games in Britain, andFacebook has said it will allow users in the UK to wager realmoney on its site.
Online gaming is also gaining momentum in the United States,with New Jersey legalizing online gambling for residents andNevada legalizing interstate online poker and allowingstate-to-state gaming agreements.
Glu, known for its free iOS and Android apps such as MutantRoadkill and Deer Hunter, said its branded casino games would beoffered in the UK through Probability and its partners such asbookmakers Paddy Power Plc and William Hill Plc.
Glu entered into a partnership with Probability in Octoberto create a suite of Glu-branded mobile slot games.
Glu shares were up 20 percent at $2.91 in late morning tradeon the Nasdaq on Tuesday. (Reporting by Sruthi Ramakrishnan in Bangalore; Editing bySriraj Kalluvila)
