1. A method, comprising: embedding, by a server, within a webpage of a social network accessed by a client computer, a display area for playing a computer-implemented gambling game; receiving, at the server, a purchase order entered in the embedded display area for virtual currency from a first player, wherein the purchase order was made with legal currency, and wherein the virtual currency is usable within the computer-implemented gambling game to a) purchase virtual items in the computer-implemented gambling game and b) place wagers in the gambling game; crediting an account of the first player with virtual currency, wherein the virtual currency is not redeemable for legal currency; receiving a second purchase order for a virtual object within the computer-implemented gambling game from the first player, wherein the second purchase order was made with virtual currency; and debiting the account of the first player based on the second purchase order, wherein operations of the method are executed through a processor.