Evolution Gaming Review & Casino Games

Anyone who’s played live casino games will undoubtedly recognise Evolution Gaming. Renowned as the leading supplier of live dealer tables and game shows, the brand has earned its reputation for good reason. Since its inception, Evolution has not only kept pace with its competition but also led the way as it continually redefined the iGaming landscape. The company offers live versions of all classic casino table games and has elevated the genre with innovative game shows and unique twists on casino staples like roulette and blackjack.

As if dominating the live gaming space wasn’t enough, the NASDAQ-listed powerhouse has also made signific ant moves in the slot industry by acquiring giants like NetEnt, Big Time Gaming, Red Tiger, Nolimit City, and Ezugi. Chances are, you’re already familiar with the exceptional quality of those developers’ games.

In this Evolution Gaming review, we’ll explore the history of the live gaming leader, its journey to success, and the impressive range of games in its portfolio. If you haven’t experienced Evolution’s offerings yet, you’re in for a treat. Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with any free versions of Evolution’s live games, but you can try out hundreds of free demo slots from their partner studios.

History & Company Background

Life for Evolution began in 2006, and it didn’t take long for the live brand to revolutionise the online casino space. The company quickly began attempting to deliver something that other studios had not entirely managed successfully: streaming live casino games to casino gamers. Yes, internet technology was starting to become fast enough to stream high-quality video images, with the likes of Planet Poker attempting to stream live poker games in 1998, and in 2003, Playtech launched a live variation of Baccarat. However, both succumbed due to featuring low-quality streams that would often pause or cut out.

By 2006, technology had caught up and had improved enough for live dealers to now take centre stage and stream popular table games directly to a player’s laptop or mobile, and Evolution was ready to take the lead in this niche of online casino positioning itself to become an industry leader. The brand quickly formed influential partnerships and was already starting to make waves when the mass adoption of smartphones began in 2007, and it was then that the live casino vertical began to take off. 

A few years later, in 2010, Evolution scooped its first of many industry awards. The supplier won the first of 12 straight ‘Live Casino Supplier of the Year’ awards at the EGR B2B, firmly positioning itself as the tier-one developer and provider of live casino games around the globe. Today, Evolution has expanded into most major iGaming markets and streams its hugely successful games via more than a dozen studios. It’s also spread its wings further, becoming a powerhouse in iGaming by acquiring many top names in the slot gaming and live casino sector. Such as:

• Ezugi: Initially a live casino competitor of Evolution, Ezugi was acquired for $12 million in 2018. 

• NetEnt: Just a couple of years later, in 2020, Evolution bought 90% of NetEnt’s shares for $2.1 billion.

• Red Tiger: Another developer of high-quality online slots, Evo acquired Red Tiger for $220 million in 2020.

• Big Time Gaming: Renowned for developing the Megaways mechanic, Big Time Gaming was lined up next. Evolution acquired the Australian software developer for $534.5 million in 2021. 

• Nolimit City: Bolstering their portfolio further, Evolution bought Nolimit City in 2022 for $340 million.

Key Milestones & Awards

From its early days to its current status as an industry leader, Evolution Gaming has achieved numerous milestones and received countless accolades for its excellence. There are too many to list them all, but here are some of the firm’s most significant accomplishments to date. 

• 2006: Evolution Gaming is founded.
• 2007: Launches its first live casino solution.
• 2009: Forms partnerships with major online casino brands, including 888casino and William Hill.
• 2010: Gains a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority.
• 2010: Wins first EGR B2B Award for ‘Live Casino of the Year’. 
• 2013: Opens a new studio in Riga, Latvia.
• 2014: Gains a licence from the UK Gambling Commission.
• 2017: Is listed on NASDAQ.
• 2017: Launches the first live gameshow, Dream Catcher.
• 2018: Acquires the competitor Ezugi for $12 million.
• 2018: Enters the US market for the first time via a licence to operate in New Jersey.
• 2018: The live brand follows that up with a move into the Ontario market in Canada.
• 2018: Releases the award-winning Lightning Roulette.
• 2020: Seals a deal to take ownership of NetEnt for $2.1 billion.
• 2020: Pushes through a deal to buy Red Tiger Gaming for $220 million.
• 2020: Launches the award-winning Crazy Time live gameshow.
• 2021: Buys Big Time Gaming for $534.5 million.
• 2021: Acquires Digiwheel for $1.2 million.
• 2021: Wins the EGR B2B ‘Live Casino of the Year’ Award for the 12th year running.
• 2022: Brokers a deal to buy slot provider Nolimit City for $340 million.
• 2023: Launches the hit gameshow Funky Time.
• 2024: Acquires Livespins for $5.4 Million.
• 2024: Awarded the Digitial Industry Supplier of the year at the Global Gaming Awards in Las Vegas.

Global Presence

Since its inception, Evolution has dominated the live casino gaming space. As a result, the supplier has rapidly expanded across all major iGaming markets, from Europe to Asia and, most recently, North America.

Along the way, the company has obtained the necessary licensing and certifications from the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Evolution’s earlier operations were based in Sweden, but the firm has opened many other studios throughout the years to meet the demand for their live games. The company currently has over 12 studios, with locations including Riga, Malta, Belgium, and across the US and Canada. 

Evolution Gaming’s Highest RTP Casino Games

All games, whether online slots, table games or live casino games, are designed with a return to player percentage, which determines how much a player will receive back over a sustained period. Whilst we do a guide to RTP that you can look at to learn more about it, in short, the higher the percentage, the more it favours you in the long run. So, if you’d like to know which Evolution games offer the highest returns, you can view the ten best offerings below.

Evolution Gaming Product Portfolio

Evolution may have been a pioneer in the live casino vertical, but the Swedish firm has never been known for resting on its laurels. The studio has continually pushed the boundaries of what is possible in live casino gaming, offering an extensive portfolio of live dealer games and gameshows that cater to players of all tastes and experience levels.

Whether through its regular blackjack and roulette table games featuring live dealers/croupiers or cutting gameshows offering the potential for huge wins via exciting bonus games, Evolution has always led the way. 

Let’s have a look at some of the more popular games released by Evolution over the years:

Live Dealer Games

Evolution has made a live variation of any classic table game you can think of, even some you probably can’t. The studio has numerous tables offering the standard versions of roulette and blackjack, while other well-known games hosted include Baccarat, Sic Bo, Craps, and various poker games. 

Plus, as you make your way through the studio’s extensive lobby, you’ll come across the likes of Bac Bo, Teen Patti, and other types of games you might not have heard of before.   

Popular Evolution Live Dealer Games:

• Lightning Roulette: One of Evolution Gaming’s most iconic live dealer successes is undoubtedly Lightning Roulette. This game introduces a thrilling “lucky numbers” feature, allowing players to win multipliers ranging from 50x up to 500x their bet. That far exceeds the payouts possible on regular roulette tables. 

• Infinite Blackjack: Offering unlimited seats at the table, Infinite Blackjack allows countless players to join the action without waiting for a spot. The game maintains the classic rules of blackjack while adding exciting side bets such as Hot 3, 21+3, and Any Pair. With the “Six Card Charlie” rule in play, there’s always an extra layer of excitement.

• Free Bet Blackjack: Evolution’s Free Bet Blackjack shakes up the traditional format by giving players free doubles on 9, 10, or 11 and free splits on all pairs except 10s. These “free bets” make the game more dynamic, with the potential for greater rewards while maintaining a low-risk appeal for players.

Live Gameshows

Showcasing the studio’s innovation, Evolution was among the pioneers of live gameshows, which were designed to appeal to a broader target audience. Featuring simple rules and some mammoth prizes, it’s not difficult to see why many of these games continue to prove popular today. 

Popular Evolution Gameshow Releases:

• Dream Catcher: Compared to recent releases, Dream Catcher is outdated these days. However, it was the first live gameshow of its kind and therefore deserves its place on this list. A live host spins a giant wheel while players bet on the segments they think will stop. Guess right, and they win a multiplier of their stake. 

• Crazy Time: Wanting to take the simplistic gameplay of Dream Catcher up a notch, Evolution released Crazy Time. Containing four bonus games that could deliver massive rewards, the title went on to become one of the most popular casino games of all time. It also led to the studio winning the ‘Innovation in Casino Entertainment Award at the 2020 SBC Awards. 

• Monopoly Live: Another award-winning title (Live Game of the Year at the 2019 EGR Operator Awards), this gameshow combines the beloved Monopoly board game with a live money wheel. The game promises a ton of fun and the potential to win payouts via Instant cash prizes, multipliers, and a CGI bonus game featuring Mr Monopoly himself. 

Other titles worth checking out include Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt, which might strike a chord with fans of the Gonzo’s Quest slot from NetEnt. Then there are the likes of Crazy Time’s Sequel, Funky Time, and Dead or Alive: Saloon.

Live Slots

Evolution usually leaves slot game production to the studios it has acquired, but there is an exception: live slots. Blending the excitement of live dealer games with the mechanics of popular slot titles, these games bring a fresh and immersive experience to the table.

There are only a few of titles thus far, but we’re sure more will follow in the coming months and years:

• Crazy Coin Flip: The idea of Crazy Coin Flip is to spin live slot reels in an attempt to qualify for the Crazy Coin Flip bonus, which fans of Crazy Time might remember as a bonus game in that title. Once you qualify, you can use a top-up mode to boost win multipliers before entering the bonus and hopefully getting lucky. 

• Crazy Pachinko: Just like Crazy Coin, in Crazy Pachinko, you will need to qualify for the main feature by first playing an online slot. Once you make it through this stage of the game, you have the opportunity to top up your multipliers further before facing the Panchinko wall, where huge multipliers can potentially be up for grabs.

• Extra Chilli Epic Spins: Evolution has brilliantly adapted Big Time Gaming’s popular Extra Chilli slot into a live setting with Extra Chilli Epic Spins. Featuring the iconic Megaways™ mechanic, this game enhances the traditional slot experience with a live host who guides players through Free Spins rounds and interactive gameplay. The result? An action-packed adventure where players can chase cascading wins and massive multipliers in real time.

Progressive Jackpot Live Games

If you enjoy jackpot slots, you might like a few of Evolution’s live poker games, which feature progressive jackpots. A portion of your bets and those of all other players in each game are added to the jackpot prize pool. They can grow up to 7-figures in size and only reset once they’re won.

You’ll find these jackpots at the following Evolution tables:

• Jumbo 7 Jackpot Side Bet
• Caribbean Stud Poker
• Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker

Bet With Streamers

When Evolution Gaming acquired Livespins in 2024 for over 5 million dollars, it was only a matter of time before the powerhouse added another string to its live sector bow. This came in the form of Bet With Streamers, a new style of live game where players pick from their favourite streamers on their gambling platform, choose their desired stake to join the gameplay, and whatever the streamer wins, so does the player. This new form of gambling aims to bolster the spirit between players, driving streamer/community interaction more than ever before.

Todd Haushalter & His Influence at Evolution Gaming

Todd Haushalter is a prominent figure in the iGaming industry, known for his extensive experience and innovative contributions. He began his career as a casino dealer with London Clubs International and later worked with the American Gaming Association in Washington, D.C. Haushalter has held senior leadership positions across various sectors of the gaming industry, including Vice President of Business Strategy at Bally Technologies and Vice President of Gaming Operations at MGM Resorts International. He holds an MBA and an MS from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 

In 2015, Haushalter joined Evolution Gaming as Chief Product Officer, bringing his wealth of experience to the live casino solutions provider. In this role, he oversees all aspects of game innovation and new product development, guiding the process from abstract concepts to finished products. Under his leadership, Evolution has developed award-winning titles such as Crazy Time and Monopoly Big Baller, significantly enhancing the company’s portfolio and market presence. 

Haushalter’s influence at Evolution Gaming extends beyond game development; he has been instrumental in integrating advanced technologies into the company’s operations. For instance, he has discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence in slot production, indicating a forward-thinking approach to iGaming innovation. His commitment to creating engaging and player-focused gaming experiences has solidified Evolution’s position as a leader in the online gaming industry. 

Commitment to Player Safety and Fairness

To establish itself as the undisputed leader in live casino gaming, Evolution Gaming prioritised building trust and credibility. The extensive range of licenses secured in some of the most stringent and highly regulated jurisdictions is a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence, as highlighted below.

Licensing & Regulation

Evolution has gained licences under many of the world’s most recognised and respected regulatory bodies.

• Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) – MGA/B2B/187/2010
• UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) – 039221-R-319351-019
• Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA) – 18Li7478
• Romania class 2 by the Romania National Gambling Office (ONJN): – 1596
• The Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Inspection of Latvia
• Antillephone NV Curacao
• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)
• New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE)
• Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB)
• State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (CDCP)
• West Virginia Lottery i-Gaming Interim Supplier License (LiGISL)
• Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)
• Nova Scotia – Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division (AGFTD)
• Lotteries and Gambling Supervisor Inspection (LGSIL)
• Alderney Gambling Control Commission
• British Columbia – Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB)
• Alberta Gaming Commission (AGC)
• Autorite Des Marches Financiers (Quebec)
• Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC)
• Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board (South Africa)
• Other jurisdictions: Italy, Spain, Belgium, Colombia, Denmark, and more.

Fair Play & Security

Evolution wouldn’t hold such a vast number of licenses if its games weren’t fair and transparent. While many of the studio’s games don’t rely on Random Number Generators, those that do have undergone rigorous testing by regulators and independent agencies. Among these is eCOGRA, a respected advocate for safe and fair online gaming.

Moreover, Evolution prioritises data security and holds ISO 27001 certification. That is a testament to the company’s commitment to safeguarding player information and maintaining the highest operational standards.

Partnerships & Collaborations

It’s difficult to imagine many, if any, of the top online casino brands are not in some kind of partnership with Evolution. As the top name in live casino gaming, most platforms and brands will want to offer their players Evolution’s portfolio of live dealer games and entertainment shows.

Even in its early days, Evolution had penned major deals with companies such as 888casino and William Hill. Other prominent brands that feature Evolution on their platforms include PokerStars, Genting, Kindred, and LeoVegas. 

The Acquisition & Importance of Digiwheel

In September 2021, Evolution Gaming announced its agreement to acquire DigiWheel, the developer of the world’s first patented HD spinning gaming wheels, for €1 million in an all-cash deal, with additional earn-out payments based on DigiWheel’s EBITDA over three years. 

This acquisition was strategically significant for Evolution, as it aimed to enhance its online gaming portfolio by integrating DigiWheel’s innovative digital technology into its existing live casino games and game shows. Evolution’s portfolio already included successful wheel-based games like Dream Catcher and Crazy Time. 

DigiWheel’s unique product, a 360-degree, fully rotating HD gaming wheel capable of operating as a live online game, was expected to add diversity to Evolution’s offerings for both online and land-based operators. The spinning wheel, essentially an HD screen, can run any money or prize wheel game, including all of Evolution’s game show wheel content. 

By acquiring DigiWheel, Evolution sought to further its commitment to creating interactive and exciting gaming experiences in the online casino industry. Integrating DigiWheel’s technology was anticipated to strengthen Evolution’s position in the market by offering a broader range of innovative gaming solutions, and from what we’ve witnessed so far, this was an outstanding bit of business from the team at Evolution.

Best Evolution Casino Games Ranked By Demoslot Rating

Final Summary

Evolution Gaming has proven time and again that it is the gold standard when it comes to live casino gaming. From revolutionising the early days of live dealer games to pioneering cutting-edge gameshows, the studio has consistently pushed the boundaries of iGaming. 

Despite growing competition from industry players like Pragmatic Play Live and Playtech Live, Evolution remains widely regarded as the king of live casinos. Whether it will maintain this position in the future remains to be seen. However, if you’re a fan of live casino games, rest assured, like us, you’ll enjoy the journey of finding out.