Zynga announced it is slashing around 1 percent of its workforce as the social gaming company closed its Baltimore office and merges others to cut expenses. Several dozen workers will be affected by the move.
Zynga said that its Baltimore studio has less than 50 employees. It would be sending some of the workers to other locations. It is also relocating workers from its Texas offices in central Austin and McKinney to existing offices in Dallas and North Austin. The San Francisco-based company is also consolidating its New York-based staff into a single office.
Zynga Chief Operations Officer David Ko said the decisions were difficult to make and the actions would affect around 1 percent of the company’s workforce. The move will also enable the company to focus its resources on the most vital growth opportunities.
At present, Zynga is looking for new opportunities such as real money gambling games. The maker of Farmville and Words with Friends rejoiced when Nevada passed the interstate online poker law. It has been betting that other states will legalize online gambling as well.
In 2012, Zynga signed a deal with UK online gambling operator Bwin.Party to provide real money games such as online poker, blackjack and slots in the United States at the first half of this year. It took the first step last December when it filed an application with the Nevada Gaming Control Board for a gaming license in the state.
Shares of the company are down more than 70 percent compared to last year but increased more than 10 percent Monday to $3.51.
