Famous for innovating the live dealer revolution in 2019, the Swedish-based gaming developer Evolution Gaming is looking to build a physical studio in Atlantic City in the near future. According to credible sources, Evolution already knows its desired destination and is willing to invest more than $70 million to take live dealer play and streaming to yet another level. The investment would be to build at least one more studio, but perhaps more on a vacant lot somewhere on Fairmont Avenue.
The aim is to help Atlantic City’s local economy by stimulating interest for local residents and the countless visitors who come to Atlantic City. Evolution Gaming is moving full speed ahead with this move by already submitting its plans and intentions with Atlantic City’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. The goal is to buy the land flat out from the governing agency to build the new studio facility.
What makes this move intriguing is that Evolution Gaming already has a studio base inside Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Resort directly on the Atlantic City Beach Boardwalk. Also, Evolution has roots with other leading Atlantic City casinos like the Ocean Casino Resort and the Tropicana. With New Jersey having over thirty online casino operators, it makes strategic sense for Evolution Gaming to have a physical base in Atlantic City and to also reach nearby Pennsylvania, which is another major revenue builder for online casino play.
With already over 800 staff members in Atlantic City, by the time Evolution’s new studio facility is built, their staff will grow past 2000 by 2029. New Jersey is second to Pennsylvania for all gambling revenue, including the massive online casino profits. Since 2013, New Jersey’s online casinos have been the model for success, and since the COVID-19 pandemic, they have surpassed Atlantic City’s local casinos on a profit scale.
During the COVID-19 shutdown, Atlantic City players discovered online casino play, especially live dealer play from Evolution. The concept of live dealer play is to offer online gamblers an authentic Atlantic City table game experience with professional dealers and croupiers. In real time from a professional studio, the dealers are streamed in 4k resolution to a player’s mobile device or web browser.
The experience is so seamless that online players can also have pleasant conversations with dealers and croupiers in real time and review their betting history. Evolution offers common live dealer games, including Texas Hold’em, Infinite Blackjack, Baccarat, and Platinum Roulette.
By Chris Bates
