Evolution Gaming, the pioneer of Live Dealer gaming, has become the first Live Casino provider to be officially certified following the rules set by Italy’s AAMS (Amministrazione Autonoma Monopoli di Stato). The approval allows Evolution to stream real-time, interactive Live Casino games such as Roulette, Blackjack and Baccarat, in TV quality, to the PC screens of players in Europe’s biggest online gambling market (by revenue). The option of dedicated tables allows operators full control over branding – tables, cards, uniforms and more, with the added advantage of being able to cross-sell and run promotions in real time from the tables– resulting in extra revenue for operators. 

Agreements between Evolution and several leading Italian gaming operators are already signed and Italy’s first online Live Casinos are expected to open for business in July. Amongst the gaming operators who will gain first-to-market advantage in Italy are Microgame and 888.com.

Jens von Bahr, CEO of Evolution Gaming, commented: “The opening up and re-regulating of the Italian gaming market is hugely exciting for operators and their customers. This approval means players in Italy will soon have easy access to our world-leading Live Casino gaming via their PCs through a standard internet connection – with the ability to interact with the dealer and fellow players in real time. This online experience is as close as it gets to a visit to a real casino, and allows customers to take their seats at a live table when and where they choose.”

“The Italian certification is testament, once again, to the quality and integrity of our Live Casino product and further strengthens Evolution’s world-leading position in the live online gaming market,” added von Bahr.

Evolution’s commitment to the burgeoning Italian gaming market is underlined by the recent appointment of Gionata La Torre as CEO Italy, and the development of the company’s Venezia Roulette online environment.

Venezia Roulette has been specifically developed by Evolution as a top-class ‘localised’ Live Casino for Italy. For this unique, opulently styled online Roulette room Evolution has headhunted the best and most experienced native speaking Italian dealers from land-based casinos. In fact, interest in the arrival of Live Casino in what La Torre describes as, “one of the most exciting and fast-moving gaming markets in the world today,” has been so great that Evolution is currently recruiting and training additional teams of Italian dealers.

La Torre has extensive experience in European digital media, having worked with British Telecom and Telecom Italia in senior roles in areas such as internet and multimedia corporate strategy, e-business partnerships and consumer internet services. He joins Evolution from Havas Media where, as Managing Director, he was responsible for the company’s digital operations.

“I’m sure that Italian players will really welcome the arrival of our Live Casino, with its live chat amongst dealer and players and exceptionally high standard of customer service,” concluded La Torre.