Evolution Gaming is a Swedish company that is famous for its live dealer offerings in Europe. As a result of its reputation, Evolution is one of the biggest brands in the global casino industry, too. Still, its base is mainly in Europe. That’s all set to change in the future, since the developer has announced that Canada will be able to enjoy a selection of its live-dealer games.
Canada and Evolution have enjoyed a tight connection for several years now, with the former hosting the latter’s first major studio expansion outside of Europe in 2018. But what has brought on this agreement, and what does it mean for Evolution and Canadian gamers?
A Renewed Alliance with the OLG
The OLG is the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the regulator in Canada that takes care of the sector. Although the name suggests that it is mainly focused on lotteries, the reality is that the Great White North has been attempting to expand its gaming reach for a while, and Evolution provides the best opportunity for the OLG and Canada.
At least, that’s according to Dave Pridmore, OLG’s Chief Digital and Strategy Officer. Speaking in a statement, he said: “We want to provide the best live-dealer experience available and we are confident that our players will love the quality and the choice of these games.”
Why Evolution?
It’s one thing deciding to enter the online casino gaming market, but it’s another selecting an operator like Evolution Gaming. So, what made the Canadian government pick this Swedish operator when there are several others from which to choose? The answer lies in live dealer offerings.
Live dealer titles have transformed into incredibly popular verticals for customers, as they can enjoy the authentic experiences they offer without the need to leave home. Of course, there’s also the fact that they are accessible via mobile devices, and therefore, available anywhere in the world at any time. Evolution deals mostly in live dealer development, ignoring the typical online casino games, such as slots and video poker and blackjack. Due to this, it’s a market leader, since it specialises in a single area of the industry, whereas its rivals concentrate on a plethora of verticals.
What Does This Mean for Canadians?
It means that the eastern province of Ontario can access Evolution’s live dealer games through the OLG website. However, these aren’t the only provinces to have agreements with Evolution. Currently, there are three more that provide the same service to their residents. They are:
- British Columbia (British Columbia Lottery Corporation)
- Québec (Loto-Québec)
- Alberta (Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis)
All of these regions will receive tailor-made games as Evolution has revealed that the games will be streamed from a bespoke Vancouver studio to ensure the customer experience for Canadians remains high.
What About Evolution?
Evolution is expected to benefit hugely from the announcement. Not only does it represent the brand’s expansion into emerging markets, but it cements the success of the past 18 months, too.
Evolution has purchased NetEnt and Big Time Gaming in this period and recorded a 150% jump in first-quarter core earnings in April 2021 as a result. As well as Asia, North America is pivotal to the growth, which explains why Evolution has secured the deal with Ontario.
Overall, the agreement should benefit everyone, even those who don’t play online casino games. That’s because the studio will create jobs and pump money into the economy, meaning the expansion is a win-win all round.
