Evolution Gaming is an undisputed leader in the field of live casino gambling, offering a variety of award-winning business-to-business live dealer solutions. The company’s unrivaled expertise in this field not only enables casino operators to improve their services but also ensures an unforgettable experience for all fans of live casino gaming.
Unlike many other successful software providers in the industry, Evolution Gaming focuses entirely on delivering authentic live casino games. The studio’s gaming suite has significantly expanded over the past decade, comprising more than one hundred blackjack, roulette, poker, and baccarat tables.
The company boasts a long roster of reputable licensees and supplies live games to some of the largest casino operators on the web, including William Hill, LeoVegas, Betsson, Genting, Grosvenor, and Mr Green. Evolution Gaming continually strives to improve its services and maintain its unblemished reputation as the world’s leading live casino provider.
The following article by SuperCasinoSites is a detailed overview of the renowned studio’s live dealer software, focusing on the company’s accomplishments and the features of its platform. It also includes in-depth information about the suite of live games that Evolution Gaming has released to date.
Evolution Gaming’s Background at a Glance
1The Beginning
Evolution Gaming hails from Latvia, where it built its first and largest live dealer studio in the country’s capital city, Riga. The company launched operations in 2006 and quickly strengthened its position in the industry by signing deals with well-known gambling operators such as Gala Coral, Ladbrokes, 888, and William Hill.
2Market Expansion
In the years after its launch, Evolution Gaming continued to expand. The company acquired licenses to legally serve several European markets including Italy, Germany, and Denmark. Evolution Gaming is also one of the few software studios that have successfully entered the US gambling market.
3Awards and Accolades
It is impossible to discuss the studio’s accomplishments without mentioning the numerous awards for excellence Evolution Gaming has collected over the past fifteen years. Some of the most significant accolades the company has received include:
42010
EGR Live Casino Software Supplier of the Year (won for ten consecutive years) and Software Rising Star of the Year
52014
EGR Game of the Year for Immersive Roulette
62017
Fastest-Growing Latvian Employer at the Dienas Bizness Top 500 Awards
72018
Casino Content Supplier of the Year at the EGR Nordics Awards, Product Innovation of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards, and Innovation in Live Casino at the SBC Awards for Lightning Roulette.
82019
Best UK Table Gaming Product at the British Casino Awards for Live Dual Play Roulette, Online Casino Supplier of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards in London, Innovation in Casino Entertainment at the SBC Awards.
92020
Game of the Year for Monopoly Live and Casino Supplier of the Year at the Gaming Intelligence Awards.
10Acquisitions and Scope of Operations
The year 2019 was significant for Evolution Gaming because that was when the software giant completed the acquisition of Ezugi, another leading live casino studio. The two companies remain the only licensed suppliers currently operating in the US market.
Adding to Evolution’s reputation is the fact that the company is publicly traded on Nasdaq Stockholm and the London Stock Exchange. The studio continues to expand its selection of live dealer games, with one of the latest additions being Lightning Baccarat. Meanwhile, the company’s team has grown to more than 3,000 employees.
Studio Locations and Licenses
Evolution Gaming is one of the fastest-growing companies in Latvia. Its main office and largest studio are located in the capital city, Riga. The software giant operates around ten live dealer studios and has registered offices in six countries.
As the company continues to broaden its business, SuperCasinoSites presents a brief rundown of its current studio locations and the markets it has entered legally with proper licenses from the respective regulators.
Current Studio Locations
Evolution Gaming continues to expand its global operations by opening studios in newly entered markets. So far, the live casino solutions provider operates live dealer studios in the following locations.
- Latvia’s picturesque capital Riga houses Evolution Gaming’s first and main studio, which serves as the central hub for all of the company’s live dealer operations. This state-of-the-art facility employs more than 2,700 people, including hundreds of professionally trained dealers. The Riga location is regarded as the largest single-site gambling operation of its kind in Europe, featuring over 100 live tables.
- The Malta location is Evolution Gaming’s second-largest live dealer studio in Europe. The Maltese studio is located in the town of Luqa and opened its doors at the beginning of 2014. It now employs more than 500 people. The company also maintains offices in Portomaso, providing live-streamed services directly from the floors of the lavish land-based Dragonara Casino.
- The Swedish studio is located in the country’s capital, Stockholm, serving local players in their native language. Let us not forget that Evolution Gaming is also listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, which further strengthens its position in the Swedish market. The capital is also home to two of Evolution Gaming’s founders.
- The UK hosts one of Evolution Gaming’s smaller studios, located in the heart of London’s West End. It functions as the central hub for the company’s UK operations. Evolution also streams live dealer games from the floors of the Hippodrome and the Ritz Club, two of the oldest and most iconic casinos in the British capital.
- Evolution Gaming has also launched a dedicated studio in the Spanish city of Murcia, the seventh-largest city in the country. Murcia sits on the picturesque banks of the Segura River on the Iberian Peninsula. The company built its Spanish studio within the iconic Gran Casino Murcia.
- Evolution Gaming boasts another dedicated studio, built specifically for its operations in the Italian market. All gaming activities are conducted by local pit bosses and live dealers who speak Italian. The studio itself is located in one of the country’s largest casinos, Casinò di Campioni D’Italia. Here is an interesting tidbit: it ranks among the oldest gaming venues in Europe.
- The company operates two studios in Belgium. The first is located in the town of Spa in the eastern region of the country. The facility is staffed by native dealers and pit bosses fluent in Flemish and French. It was purpose-built inside another of Europe’s older gambling venues, the luxurious Casino De Spa. The software giant’s second Belgian studio is in the city of Aalst.
- Evolution has successfully entered the Romanian market. Its seventh live dealer facility is situated in the heart of Bucharest, within the world-class Grand Casino Bucharest.
- Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, hosts Evolution Gaming’s in-house poker team. The staff works to enhance the company’s poker portfolio, which includes games like Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, and Live Caribbean Stud.
- The company also serves the Canadian gaming market through a dedicated live casino facility in Vancouver. The studio began operations at the start of 2018. It occupies more than 15,000 square feet within the Anvil Conference Center and employs over 170 people.
- Evolution Gaming maintains offices in the Dutch capital Amsterdam, although the facility is intended solely for engineering purposes. It is home to some of the company’s top software developers.
Licenses Acquired by Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming is a reputable provider of live casino solutions and, as such, it operates only in regulated markets under licenses issued by the respective local regulatory bodies. All regulated markets in which the company operates are listed below, together with the authorities that issued the corresponding licenses.
Proper licensing is crucial because it ensures that all live gaming operations comply with local requirements for fairness and transparency. As you can see, the company maintains a solid presence in some of the largest markets in the gaming industry. These authorities perform regular reviews to verify that Evolution’s suite remains fully compliant with their regulatory frameworks.
- Evolution Gaming’s Licenses, Certificates, and Other Accreditations
- Critical Gaming Supply License, issued by the Maltese Gaming Authority (MGA) in 2012.
- License for Category 2 Online Gambling along with a certificate for Core Services Associate, issued by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.
- Licenses for Remote Operations and Remote Gambling Software, granted by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The latter wins the race for the most rigorous gambling regulator in the world.
- A license for Conditional Interactive Gaming Manufacturer, issued by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in 2019.
- Evolution was also the first-ever supplier of live casino solutions to obtain a preliminary waiver approval by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement in 2013. The company launched its tenth studio in Atlantic City five years later, in 2018.
- Class E license granted by the Gaming Commission of Belgium (Kansspel Commissie).
- Class II certification from the Romanian National Gambling Office.
- A license for Class B Provider of Gaming Services, issued by the Gaming Policy & Enforcement Branch of the British Columbia government, Canada.
- A license for the provision of gambling services, granted by the Latvian Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection.
- A certification granted in 2011 by the L’Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (Customs and Monopoly Agency) in Italy. Evolution Gaming is the first-ever provider of live casino games to obtain the approval of the Italian regulator.
- A certification issued in 2013 by the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling) in Spain.
- A certification from Denmark’s Danske Licens Spil, granted in 2012. Danish players can legally participate in the live games hosted from the supplier’s Maltese and Latvian studios. The company also has the approval of SKAT, the Danish Customs and Tax Administration.
- In 2020, Evolution Gaming received yet another license which enabled it to legally enter the gaming market in South Africa.
Standout Live Games Features
Evolution Gaming has developed a robust live casino platform that offers a host of engaging features designed to enhance players’ gaming experience. Some are specific to certain live games, whereas others are available across the entire platform. For instance, hot and cold number statistics are inherent to Evolution Gaming’s roulette tables, while the Bet Behind and Pre-Decision features are supported at the blackjack tables.
HD Quality
The software automatically adjusts the quality of the live video stream based on the current speed of your Internet connection. However, players can control the stream quality manually by selecting one of three settings: Medium, High, or HD. To do so, you must first disable the Auto Adjust feature in the settings.
Switch View
The Switch View feature is available at live roulette tables, allowing you to choose among three views: 3D, Classic, and Immersive.
Game and Account History
The Game History provides detailed information about every hand and round you have played, along with the corresponding outcomes. A comprehensive Account History is also available, allowing you to view dates, games, wagered amounts, and payouts. The information is displayed in descending order, starting with the most recent rounds.
Multi-tabling
Multi-tabling is an option for players who crave nonstop action. You can join and play at up to four tables simultaneously within a single browser window. After you take a seat at one live table, click the Lobby button to add more games. Tables that do not support this option will not display the +Table button.
Bet Behind
The Bet Behind feature is available in most Evolution Gaming live blackjack games. It lets you join full tables and place wagers on the hands of seated players until a betting spot opens. The main player makes the hitting and standing decisions, but you decide whether to double, split, or take insurance.
Hot Players Icon
Another useful feature is the Hot Players icon. Shaped like a gold medal, it displays how many consecutive rounds a given player has won, helping you identify who is on the longest winning streak.
Side Bets
Side bets are available at most Evolution Gaming live blackjack, poker, and baccarat tables. Blackjack fans can choose from options such as 21+3 and Perfect Pairs. Baccarat enthusiasts can pursue larger payouts by betting on ties or suited ties. The side bets in live poker variations are usually placed by players who want a chance at a progressive jackpot.
Favorite Bets
The Favorite Bets feature lets you save up to 15 preferred wagers and bet combinations at live roulette tables. You can edit your list at any time.
Bet Statistics
The Bet Statistics feature presents a diagram of winning numbers for up to the last 500 gaming rounds. It also provides detailed information on winning percentages for each dozen and column, along with the current hot and cold numbers.
Autoplay
The Autoplay feature allows players to repeat their preferred wagers or bet combinations a specified number of times. This option is available only at live roulette tables.
Chat Panel
The Chat panel enables you to communicate with the dealer and fellow players at the live table. Simply type your message into the chat box, and the dealer will respond verbally. If the chat distracts you, you can deactivate it at any time. You can also resize or move the chat box anywhere on your screen.
Pre-Decision
Pre-Decision is one of the newest features Evolution Gaming has incorporated into its live blackjack games. Designed to speed up play, it lets seated participants make their hitting, standing, doubling, and splitting decisions at the same time as the player in the first-base spot, rather than waiting their turn.
Mobile Gaming Suite
Evolution Gaming provides a selection of live tables that are fully optimized for play on the go. Players can enjoy industry-leading live casino games not only on their laptops and desktop computers but also on any tablet or smartphone that runs on iOS or Android.
The mobile gaming suite launched in 2012 and has gradually expanded over the years with the addition of new tables. The mobile games are developed in HTML5, which means you can play them directly in your device’s browser.
Many live casinos that work in partnership with Evolution Gaming also offer native apps you can install on your smartphone. Supported devices include all generations of iPad, iPad Mini, and iPad Air, all generations of iPhone, all Android tablets (including Sony, Google Nexus, and Samsung), and all Android-based smartphones (such as LG, Sony, Huawei, Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi, Google Nexus, and HTC).
All mobile live games are beautifully rendered and run seamlessly on each supported device and its corresponding operating system. You can switch between devices with ease, as the mobile games feature the familiar desktop user interface. Of course, you will need a stable internet connection on the go to enjoy your gaming experience to the fullest.
Live Roulette Selection
Evolution Gaming’s catalog features an impressive selection of live roulette tables. The roulette action is streamed live from the company’s studios in New Jersey, Vancouver, Bucharest, Malta, Riga, and Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. The games are offered in a wide range of native languages for the benefit of non-English speakers.
The user interface is largely uniform across all live roulette games, so you will experience no difficulties when switching from one table to the next. The different settings and environments cater to a broad array of player preferences.
There are also in-casino streams from the roulette tables of some of the world’s biggest land-based gaming venues. Tables are available in all three popular formats: American, French, and European.
SuperCasinoSites’ List of Recommended Evolution Gaming Roulette Tables
- Immersive Roulette
- Lightning Roulette
- Dual Play Roulette
- French Roulette Gold
- Auto Roulette La Partage
- Double Ball Roulette
- Mini Live Roulette
- Speed Roulette
General House Rules
Players who join an Evolution Gaming-powered live casino are presented with myriad options, yet the majority of tables follow uniform rules. There are three main sets of house rules.
- European Roulette follows the conventional single-zero rules, supporting the standard inside and outside wagers and their corresponding payouts. The En Prison rule does not apply at these live tables, so the house edge stands at 2.70%, with an RTP of 97.30%.
- French Roulette also uses the single-zero format but features a slightly different table layout. It offers the same types of wagers and casino odds, yet there is one important rule that sets it apart from the European version. Under the La Partage rule, players lose only half of their stake on losing even-money wagers when zero hits. This reduces the house edge to 1.35% and boosts the RTP to 98.65%.
- American Roulette is played on a wheel that includes an additional double zero (00) for a total of 38 numbered pockets. The casino odds for winning bets are identical to those in the French and European varieties. There is one extra betting option, the five-number bet on 0, 00, 1, 2, and 3, which is unsupported in the single-zero format. The extra 00 pocket results in an inferior RTP of 94.74% and a house edge of 5.26%. A racetrack for special bets is also included on the American table layout.
Live Dealer Roulette by Evolution Gaming: Gameplay
Live Blackjack Games
The selection of live blackjack games is equally extensive, with some Evolution Gaming licensees offering more than fifty tables, sometimes even more. The tables under the Blackjack tab in the lobby are categorized by minimum limits (usually $0.50, $50, and $100+), making it easy for players to choose games that suit their budgets.
The stream quality, presentation, and overall feel of the games are superb, and the user interface is uniform across all blackjack tables. Most tables accommodate no more than seven seated players at a time, with the option to bet behind others. Other games, such as Live Infinite Blackjack, allow an unlimited number of participants to join the action simultaneously.
SuperCasinoSites’ List of Recommended Evolution Gaming Blackjack Games
- Infinite Blackjack
- Free Bet Blackjack
- Speed Blackjack
- Blackjack Party
- VIP Blackjack
General House Rules
All live blackjack tables launched by Evolution Gaming support up to seven seats, although betting behind seated players at full tables is usually an option. The rules are largely uniform across all live games, which are dealt from eight-deck shoes. Dealers reshuffle either manually or with automatic shufflers, giving players penetration of approximately half a shoe.
Most tables follow the US style of dealing, where the dealer receives one exposed and one hole card. Doubling down after a split is generally not allowed. Dealers draw to 16 and stand on all 17s, both soft and hard. Players may double down on any two-card total, but resplitting is not permitted. Drawing to split Aces is also disallowed.
House Edges and Theoretical Return
The house edge in the main game at Evolution Gaming blackjack tables is low under the playing conditions described above, standing at around 0.72%. However, many tables offer side bets with significantly higher house edges.
The Perfect Pairs side bets carry an overall house edge of 4.10%, assuming optimal basic strategy. The 21+3 side bets yield a casino advantage of 3.70% and an average return to player of 96.30%.
Live Dealer Blackjack by Evolution Gaming: Gameplay
Live Baccarat Suite
Evolution Gaming also supplies a wide range of live baccarat games, and some live dealer casinos even offer branded tables. Players can switch between Classic and 3D views, with most tables using eight decks dealt from a manual shoe.
Multiple camera angles provide a realistic experience that captures the live action down to the smallest detail. The games are conducted mostly by attractive female dealers seated at polished bean-shaped tables.
SuperCasinoSites’ List of Recommended Evolution Gaming Baccarat Games
- No Commission Baccarat
- Lightning Baccarat
- Speed Baccarat
- Baccarat Controlled Squeeze
House Rules
Evolution Gaming’s live baccarat games are shoe-dealt, using eight decks. Among the most useful features are the available roadmaps, including the Small and Big Road, the Cockroach Road, and the Big Eye Boy. These tools provide players with detailed information about the results of previous coups that they can use to refine their strategy.
Another interesting feature found at some tables is the card “squeeze,” shot and streamed with multiple cameras. A player-controlled squeeze is also offered in certain games. Those who prefer faster-paced gameplay may be interested in Evolution’s Speed Baccarat.
Novices can try the simplified Dragon Tiger, where only one card is dealt for each of the following betting positions: Dragon and Tiger. Suit is irrelevant, and cards are ranked from Aces (the lowest) to Kings (the highest). Payouts for each outcome vary across Evolution-powered casinos.
House Edges and Theoretical Returns
The traditional betting options, card rankings, and casino odds apply. The Banker hand pays 0.95 to 1, whereas the Player hand offers an even-money payout. A tie pays at the standard odds of 8 to 1.
Many baccarat tables support optional Pairs side wagers, although we discourage you from placing them because of their higher house edges. The house edge in the main game at most tables is 1.06%, yielding an overall theoretical return of 98.94%.
One exception is No Commission Baccarat, where the payout structure differs, resulting in a lower theoretical return of 98.76%. The RTP in Dragon Tiger is even lower, at 96.27% for the main bet.
Live Dealer Baccarat by Evolution Gaming: Gameplay
Live Casino-Banked Poker
Evolution Gaming has launched a rich selection of casino-banked poker games, whose defining trait is that you play against the house rather than against fellow players. Some Evolution Gaming-powered casinos have integrated progressive side bets into their live poker tables, giving you the chance to compete for substantial jackpots. Below, we briefly describe the four most notable live poker games by Evolution Gaming.
Casino Hold’em Poker
Casino Hold’em Poker is played with a single 52-card pack that is shuffled after each hand. The player’s objective is to beat the live dealer with a higher-ranking five-card poker hand. To participate, you must post an ante bet, although you can also place the Bonus and Jumbo 7 Jackpot side bets for larger payouts. The live dealer qualifies with a pair of 4s or better.
Three Card Poker
Three Card Poker was launched in 2013. In addition to the main wager, players can place the optional Pairs Plus and 6-Card Bonus side bets, which offer top payouts of 100 to 1 and 1,000 to 1, respectively. The live dealer plays with Queen High or better. Beyond that, your goal is simple: beat the dealer with the better three-card poker hand.
Ultimate Texas Hold’em
Ultimate Texas Hold’em was introduced by Evolution Gaming in the summer of 2016. It is very similar to conventional Texas Hold’em, the only difference being that it is house-banked. Your objective is to form the best possible five-card poker hand by combining your two hole cards with the five community cards on the board.
The game is dealt from a single 52-card pack, which is reshuffled after every round. It offers one optional side wager that pays when you make Three of a Kind or better, regardless of the dealer’s hand. The maximum bonus payout is 50 to 1 for a Royal Flush. The player’s ante pushes if the dealer holds less than a pair.
Live Caribbean Stud Poker
Live Caribbean Stud Poker is the result of a partnership between Evolution and Games Marketing. Both the dealer and the player receive five cards each, and the higher-ranking hand wins. The dealer’s hand qualifies with Ace-King or better. Players can earn enhanced payouts of up to 1,000x with winning 5+1 Bonus side bets.
Live Dealer Hold’em Poker by Evolution Gaming: Gameplay
Live Dice Games and Game Shows
Apart from offering conventional table games, Evolution also boasts a host of refreshing releases that incorporate elements of world-renowned game shows and board games. Dice fans are catered to with two unique offerings: Sic Bo and Lightning Dice.
Lightning Dice
Lightning Dice is a highly rewarding live dice game conducted in a sophisticated Art Deco setting. It features random multipliers that can boost your payouts up to 1,000 times. The game supports a virtually unlimited number of players and uses three dice. You can wager on the total value of the three dice.
Super Sic Bo
Super Sic Bo is Evolution’s modern take on the traditional Chinese dice game. Three standard dice are placed in a dice shaker, and players have multiple betting options. You can wager on one or more dice result combinations. Random multipliers of up to 1,000 times your bet can be applied on each round, giving you the chance to win more.
Dream Catcher
Dream Catcher is a bespoke money-wheel game show unique to the Evolution Gaming catalog. It features a live presenter who spins a wheel containing 54 pin-separated segments. Fifty-two of the segments display numbers (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 40), each in a distinct color. The remaining two segments display 2x and 7x multipliers that boost your payouts on bonus spins. You win whenever the pointer stops on your selected number.
Deal or No Deal Live
Deal or No Deal Live debuted at Evolution Gaming-powered live casinos in May 2019. The studio partnered with Endemol Shine Gaming for this innovative game show, which runs around the clock. It combines the iconic television show of the same name with an RNG game that offers random multipliers.
Monopoly Live
Monopoly Live is the result of another collaboration with Hasbro. It won Game of the Year at the 2020 Gaming Intelligence Awards. A large, oversized wheel is spun by a presenter, and players try to guess which numbered segment the pointer will stop on. Additional segments named Chance, 2 Rolls, and 4 Rolls award bonus payouts and instant wins.
Live Dream Catcher by Evolution Gaming: Gameplay
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Do all Evolution Gaming casinos offer the same selection of live tables and live game shows?
Generally speaking, any casino that offers Evolution Gaming titles will grant you access to Evolution’s gaming lobby, which features the same live table games and game shows. However, the table limits for certain games can differ between casinos. This variation reflects each operator’s preferences, as Evolution accommodates the limit requirements of its partners. Moreover, because some casinos cater to specific audiences, you might find live tables in particular languages that are not available at every casino that offers Evolution’s lobby. As with limits, language availability depends on the operator.
Even with these variations in limits or native-speaking dealers, every Evolution casino provides the provider’s full gaming portfolio, ensuring you can access all live table games and game shows.