If there was any doubt before, it’s clear now that Facebook is embracing the fact that games are a core part of its experience, and it’s taking its relationship with gaming companies very seriously. The company has recently posted a job listing for a Head of Games Partnerships, who will be asked to “develop and enhance successful partnerships and influence internal and external partners and...

Officially launching today is the latest addition to the Zynga roster, Mafia Wars Las Vegas. Up in beta since July 21st, the mobster-themed game has exploded within the past week, and Zynga’s internal metrics are currently at the 3 million player mark. The meter has also registered 7 million Vegas gifts per day, 8.5 million casino properties being upgraded, and 1.5 billion jobs being done in the newest Mafia...

Social networks worldwide are estimated to bring in $3.3 billion in advertising dollars this year, according to updated estimates by eMarketer. That number represents a 31 percent increase from 2009′s $2.5 billion. A full 39 percent of that amount, or $1.3 billion, will go to Facebook. In the U.S., social ad spending is estimated to rise 20 percent to $1.7 billion. Facebook is gobbling up even more market...