Live dealer content provider Evolution Gaming has announced its intention to open a casino production studio in Vancouver, Canada – its first major expansion outside Europe.
Expected to launch before the close of 2017, the studio will be Evolution’s eighth and is the result of an agreement to provide Live Casino games and services for BCLC (British Columbia Lottery Corporation).
The five year agreement plus renewal options will see Evolution’s Live Casino offering streamed via BCLC’s PlayNow.com website. However, Evolution’s 16,000 sq ft studio will be built with the intention of supporting additional Canadian lottery corporations, with each jurisdiction able to offer both shared and dedicated tables.
The Vancouver studio will, over time, create more than 170 new jobs as Evolution looks to recruit operational staff locally.
At launch, BCLC will offer 10 online live tables for blackjack, baccarat, and roulette, bringing live dealer gaming to PlayNow.com players on desktop, tablets and smartphones, seven days a week.
BCLC has a strong multi-channel, multi-product offering that includes retail lottery operations, online and mobile gaming, land‐based casinos, bingo halls and community gaming centres. By adding Live Casino to the range of online games already available on PlayNow.com, BCLC aims to extend the appeal of the online enterprise to existing customers while also attracting new online players.
Evolution Group CEO Martin Carlesund said in a statement Tuesday:
“Entering the Canadian market with BCLC signifies a huge breakthrough, outside of our European operations. Through this new partnership we are confident we will deliver the very best Live Casino experience for BCLC players, and an exceptional Live Casino studio facility for BCLC and other Canadian lottery jurisdictions in the future.”
Monica Bohm, BCLC’s vice-president, eGaming, said:
“We are delighted to enter into this agreement with Evolution, to bring the thrill of live, interactive casino gaming to our online players. New and innovative products like Live Casino will help BCLC continue to deliver the very best in gambling entertainment to our players while benefiting communities across British Columbia.”