Evolution Gaming: “Early-entry to new regulated markets in Europe is a priority for us”
Deep interaction between top-tier casino services’ provider –through marketing manager Amy Riches’ voice– and Focus Gaming News.
Evolution Gaming has stepped strongly into the gaming industry. Its name means relevant multi-channel casino products for international distinguished operators. Now that ICE Totally Gaming 2016 ended, the company shared its assessment of the event and its further plans to be greatest provider of the globe.
What are Evolution Gaming’s main impressions about ICE 2016?
This ICE proved to be one of our busiest ever, with 100+ meetings during the show in order to meet not only existing customers but also our new prospects. ICE is the perfect to place to meet everyone and with our full team from our offices across Europe on hand we had all necessary staff to showcase our latest products and innovations.
What was the outcome from Evolution’s participation at the show?
ICE was the perfect opportunity to finalise agreements and announce some projects that we have been planning and working on, such as Genting’s dedicated environment –including recreating Crockfords, the oldest and among the most exclusive gaming clubs in the world– which went live on the show’s opening day; and the announcement of Napoleon Games’ dedicated studio within their office building in Aalst, Belgium. The show, as always, was the perfect platform to forge ahead with existing relationships, open up further, new opportunities as well as showcasing our latest releases.
Evolution’s all-new multi-camera Live Baccarat range including Live Baccarat Squeeze; Live Caribbean Stud Poker; and Evolution’s Dual Play Roulette convergence solution all made their debuts at ICE. Furthermore, a special preview of our next release, Live Double Ball Roulette was on show over the course of the three days. These games were available on desktop, tablet and smartphone complete with Evolution’s new User Interface and Lobby, both on show for the first time. Dual Play Roulette was also on show on the stand, allowing both land-based and online casino operators to find inspiration in Evolution’s newest convergence solution. The Dual Play table brings together the land-based and online worlds by allowing players at an on-premise table in the land-based venue to be joined in the same games, at the same table, by an unlimited number of online players. The Dual Play table is rigged with a number of cameras to capture the live action. Where jurisdictions allow, the live game video can be streamed to other areas of the casino, such as bars and restaurants, to allow casino visitors to play on mobile devices while away from the table. The solution is already live at Dragonara Casino in Malta and it is anticipated that additional deployments will launch at other land-based casinos during 2016.
Additionally, visitors were able to play our other games such as Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Casino Hold’em and Roulette – including our award-winning Immersive Roulette. We anticipate that there will be future announcements in the coming weeks and months, as a result of our participation in ICE.
Which were the games that created a buzz at Evolution’s booth?
Live Baccarat Squeeze generated very high levels of interest even before the show began following its launch as a dedicated table in December at William Hill’s Macau online brand (macau.williamhill.com). Streaming the live feed direct from the Squeeze table across the 11m video wall on the stand really let us wow the crowds from afar. The 15+ HD cameras take the thrill and suspense to a new high with a world-class, Macau-like gaming experience for every player type, from first-timers to the most experienced high rollers. The multi-camera set-up means that Baccarat devotees can truly enjoy the ultimate squeeze experience as the tantalising close-up shots capture every subtle nuance of the game. And as with the company’s Immersive Lite Roulette solution, we offer a Baccarat option that allows licensees to choose the number of cameras, shot angles and sequences they need to create a unique online presentation style for their brand.
We ran a competition during the course of the show on our Live Baccarat Squeeze table. Entrants were given unique log in details and a starting balance of EUR 10,000. The three competitors with the highest balance at the end of each day won an iPad Pro. This gave players a prime opportunity to sample the thrills of the game and sample our new world standard. Our brand-new UI, which enables a more cinematic experience and immerses players in the action and suspense of each game, was a real success during the show. ICE also provided the ideal opportunity to experience two unique Live Casino games created by Evolution in partnership with Games Marketing: Live Caribbean Stud Poker and Double Ball Roulette. Evolution’s Live Caribbean Stud Poker is the only online live version of this hugely popular poker game available from a major licensed Live Casino provider. This fast-paced poker variant packs added excitement in the form of a 5+1 side bet offering odds of up to 1,000 to 1.
The Games Marketing connection continued with a preview of Double Ball Roulette, set for release in Q2 2016. In Double Ball Roulette, two balls are shot from a special patented device fitted around the Roulette wheel. It is a uniquely exciting Roulette variant that is proven to significantly increase play and hold. The game doubles the fun and adds thrilling new bets and payouts of up to 1,300 to 1.
Evolution Gaming celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2016. Is the company thinking about launching a special game or product?
2016 is our 10th anniversary with many exciting new products in the pipeline, including further games licensed from Games Marketing and Scientific Games, which will further solidify our position as the world’s leading Live Casino supplier. Everyone here is very much looking forward to the next decade of Evolution. Most of all, we look forward to continuing to deliver an ever-growing, ever-improving range of Live Casino solutions and innovations to help all our licensees grow their businesses and delight their players.
