Evolution Gaming to Power Sky Betting and Gaming

17 September 2009, Staff writer

Live casino specialists Evolution Gaming are continuing on their merry way with high profile licensee sign-ups.  This time they have inked a deal with BSkyB subsidiary Sky Betting and Gaming.

The new deal will see Sky Betting and Gaming offering live casino games powered by Evolution to its customers in the very near future.  Evolution's live dealer platform currently includes roulette, blackjack and baccarat all streamed by live video from its dealer (TV) studio in Riga, Latvia.

Evolution announced only months ago that they were having to expand the square footage of their studio to accommodate more tables and dealers in the wake of increased demand from a growing licensee base.  With more recent high profile signings and associated players, they may well have to build new studios soon.  Big brands signed to their platform in the past few months include 888.com, Unibet, Party Gaming, Expekt and Blue Square.

An interesting consideration with respect to this latest deal, is Sky Betting's connection with a satellite television distribution channel via parent company BSkyB.  While no comments were made in press releases, the fact that Sky are now armed with a 'for television' quality live casino platform and are potentially able to offer it via its subscriber television service is a rather large elephant sitting in the corner.

Regardless of plans for future distribution the deal is a continued affirmation of the growing popularity amongst European players of this relatively new gaming offering.  Popular with Asian players for some time now, live casino games have been slow to gain acceptance in Europe.  The rate of take-up of the offering amongst most of Europe's large gambling houses, who all have their fingers on the pulse of playing market preferences, seems suggest some traction is starting to occur.

An Evolution Gaming representative supported this contention (albeit with a biased stance) by stating that the platform was becoming particularly popular amongst high rollers reluctant to trust their wagers to computer generated outcomes.

Sky Betting and Gaming will offer the live casino product under license from the UK Gambling Commission.  No announcement was made regarding when Sky players could access the live dealers.

Evolution Gaming powered live casinos listed on this site: 888 Live | Unibet | Blue Square | VC Live.