Unibet partners Evolution to aid US igaming launch
Kindred Group's core Unibet brand is to expand its existing relationship with Evolution Gaming to support its launch into the US, with an initial focus on the regulated New Jersey market.
The operator will launch content broadcast from Evolution's US live casino production studio, which opened in Atlantic City in August.
The companies have worked together for a number of years in markets across Europe.
Cristiano Blanco, head of gaming at Kindred Group, said Unibet sees live casino as an important vertical for its growth across the US.
“The Unibet brand has a strong footprint in Europe where it has enjoyed exciting growth in live casino, thanks in large part to our relationship with Evolution,” he said.
“Now that Evolution has launched its US studio, we look forward very much to establishing and growing the Unibet brand in New Jersey and, in due course, in other US states too.”
Evolution is in a strong position in the US live casino market, last month following up the opening of its new studio by agreeing a deal to acquire rival Ezugi.
The company only opened its US facility in the summer of this year, but James Stern, Evolution director of business development and land-based sales, said plans are already in place to expand the site, due to early levels of demand.
“With additional partners still to go live and the wide range of games Evolution has to offer, the coming 12 months will undoubtedly highlight the company’s ability to provide the best player experience,” Stern said.
The Evolution deal forms part of Kindred’s wider growth plans in the US, after the company last week set out plans to launch in New Jersey’s regulated sports betting market in the first quarter of 2019.
Kindred has amended its contract with Kambi, its former subsidiary and long-term sportsbook platform provider, to cover New Jersey. The company has also partnered Scientific Games' SG Digital division ahead of its move into the US, with the supplier to power its online casino offering.
Image: Santeri Viinamäki
