Evolution Gaming Background
Evolution Gaming was founded in 2006 in Estonia. Within its first year agreements were struck with many key online casino operators such as Gala Coral, William Hill and BetVictor (at that time, known as VC Bet).
By 2009, the company’s main studio in Riga, Latvia quadrupled in size to deal with customer demand. To capitalise on these early successes, further deals were signed with 888, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and Sky Casino.
By 2010, the Riga studios were expanded to permit “dedicated tables and environments to be launched by licensees.” In other words, web-based casino operators were able to rebrand Evolution’s tables, thus harnessing Evolution’s superior technology and experience without having to cede their identity.
It is of little surprise that operators relished the opportunity to incorporate the Evolution Gaming casinos platform, which had already caused a stir within the sector. This was illustrated when the company bagged the inaugural EGR Live Casino Software Supplier of the Year award in 2010.
To put the company’s casino-gaming prowess in perspective, Evolution Gaming won that very same prize for the seventh year in a row in 2016. To date, no other company has claimed this award.
Since 2010, Evolution have continued to build and grow, launching exciting new game variations such as Immersive Roulette, Live Baccarat squeeze, Caribbean Stud and most recently, Live Dream Catcher - a variation on the Wheel of Fortune, which launched this year.
They now run seven studios, with the lion share of their dealers working out of Latvia and Malta. They are the first live casino platform to gain approval in New Jersey, the only US state to permit online casino gaming.
Evolution on Mobile
Like any self-respecting developer Evolution Gaming have tailored their platform for smartphones and tablets. Each game is optimised for mobiledevice yet retains the recognisable user interface found on larger desktop screens. This is often easier said than done and is one of the keys to Evolution’s continued and forward-thinking success.
The Live Dealers
Not only do Evolution Gaming lead the way with their technology and software, they also have some of the best dealers available for live casino play. So how have they achieved this? By setting up a specialist academy, that’s how.
Evolution Live Dealer Academy
All the company’s dealers, shift managers and behind camera staff undergo intensive training in a collegiate-style environment at Evolution Gaming’s primary studios in Malta and Latvia. According to the company policy, anyone from fraud and security management to chat moderators and customer service representatives must “all meet academy standards before they can officially ‘go live.’” Frequently, staff members will return to the academy to top up their skills and keep abreast of developments and enhancements in games and technology.
The Live Table Games
Evolution serves best-of-class casino table games including roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker. Here’s a little background information about some of the most popular variants.
Immersive Roulette
Immersive Roulette is a triumph of live casino game design featuring multiple Hollywood-style cameras which stream action in super-smooth HD. Voted Game of the Year 2014 by EGR, it provides players with a host of in-game options. As well as being able to view detailed statistics, participants can zoom in from all manner of angles and even use slow motion replays to relive the excitement of a winning round.
European Roulette
European Roulette is Evolution’s core offering and is widely played across a vast range of online casino websites. This particular variant has the largest collection of standard and VIP tables and is available across all devices. Considered to be a world-class online roulette gaming experience, it includes a typically intuitive game interface and allows for full live interaction between players and croupiers.
Speed Roulette
Speed Roulette is a more frantic version of the classic table game with each round lasting just 25 seconds. This makes for an adrenalin-packed experience that requires quick wits as well as a calm temperament. Like European Roulette, this is one of Evolution’s signature live titles. The abridged format means that an extra 50 spins can be packed into an hour which of course allows for players to make far more bets than is possible with standard games of live roulette.
Live Blackjack
This is Evolution’s standard blackjack variant. It offers the widest selection of standard and VIP tables and is, needless to say, available to play across all mobile and tablet devices. As ever, each game is overseen by professionally-trained croupiers. Players take can take a seat at one of seven tables while an unlimited number of participants can take advantage of the celebrated ‘bet behind’ option. A variety of side-bets is also available including double down, insurance and split bets.
Live Blackjack Party
Blackjack Party games are far removed from the staid environments often found at bricks and mortar establishments. This low-stakes version is accessible to players of all budgets and is overseen by both a dealer and co-presenter who place a strong emphasis on fun. In addition to unlimited betting options, participants are able to advantage of the usual assortment of side bets offered by Evolution such as perfect pairs, doubling down and splitting pairs.
Live Baccarat Squeeze
An iconic, stylish casino game immortalised by movies such as James Bond, that’s successfully made the leap to web browsers thanks to the ingenuity of Evolution. The Squeeze variant includes 15 separate cameras which offer a variety of angles and close ups. These serve to increase immersion levels while recapturing all the subtleties and nuances of a game that graces the floors of only the most exclusive land-based establishments.
Live Baccarat Control Squeeze
Baccarat Control Squeeze comprises the same level of authenticity as the standard version mentioned above but allows players to take control of the ‘squeeze themselves’. Here, the cards are dealt face down on a glass inlay underneath which are two cameras which beam the card face values to the game interface. Participants then click the edge of a card to slowly peel back an overlay mask to reveal the value. The result is an exciting, suspenseful experience that’s more than a match for the games played at bricks-and-mortar casinos.
Live Speed Baccarat
Like Speed Baccarat is another fast-and-furious variant that’s extremely popular among gamers. Although it follows standard rules and is played with eight standard 52-card decks, the game rounds last just 27 seconds compared to the usual 48. As with Speed Roulette, quick wits are required. A thorough understanding of the game is also highly recommended. Otherwise, things can get out of hand pretty quickly!
Live Casino Hold’em
Live Casino Hold’em is closely based on the most popular poker version of all with a few added twists. One of the most notable is the ability to bet against the dealer instead of other players. This means that a huge number of players can join a game. Extra side bets have been added as well, such as the Jumbo 7 Jackpot – a progressive jackpot game which grows until a lucky player lands a seven-card straight flush.
Live Caribbean Stud Poker
This is the only live version of its kind currently available. The game derives from five-card stud and is played against the house instead of other players. It’s fast-paced and feature-laden with numerous side bets and bonuses available including a progressive jackpot that can be won should you be lucky enough to land a Royal Flush. No the easiest of tasks granted, but there’s always a chance right?
Ultimate Live Texas Hold’em
Developed in collaboration with Scientific Games, Ultimate Live Texas Hold’em is considered the most popular live poker game in the world. Once again, participants compete against the dealer with the sole objective of landing a superior five-card. Because games are against the house an almost unlimited number of players can get involved at a single table.
Why Evolution Gaming casinos?
Usually, this section would be reserved for pros and cons but in Evolution’s case this reads more like a call to action manifesto! Why?
- The awards and acclaim don’t lie: Evolution produces the world’s best online live dealer experience, most closely mirroring the real experience.
- An extensive games portfolio including the pioneering, multi-camera Immersive Roulette
- All the games have rich features such as live interaction, real time statistics, multigame play and side bet options
- Wide range of standard and VIP tables for high rollers and standard players
- Highly trained and extremely professional dealers, who aren’t afraid to also show off their individual personalities
- Real time interaction with dealers and your fellow players
You can see our pick of the best Evolution casinos below so please have a look in more detail and select the one that's right for you.