If gambling addicts needed a reason to not visit slot/pokie machines around the world, this would be it. ZYnga have said today that they've filed for an "Application for Preliminary Finding of Suitability" in Nevada. This process is conducted by the state's gaming control board and could take up to 18 months.

If Zynga achieves this, it would be another two to three months before they could apply for a license. Zynga's Chief Revenue Officer, Barry Cottle, said in a statement:

Zynga has filed its Application for a Preliminary Finding of Suitability from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. This filing continues our strategic effort to enter regulated RMG (real-money gaming) markets in a prudent way. As we've said previously, the broader U.S. market is an opportunity that's further out on the horizon based on legislative developments, but we are preparing for a regulated market.

Zynga inked a deal with UK-based bwin.party earlier this year, and will unveil their own real-month gaming experiences in the first half of 2013.