The early part of this year saw the opening up and expansion of the Italian online gambling market. Lots of excitement there for both the government and the people—more money for the government and more online gambling opportunities for Italians. I offer up, as an example, live dealer games. Specifically live dealer online poker—it is now making a splash in the home of pasta.
The online gambling expansion is still underway in Italy. This was not going to be like the government throwing a switch at which point angels would sing and an out pouring of Italians would hop onto their computers to play in online casinos. The gambling expansion is a more gradual easing in process. This allows for the Italians to make strong choices on who they extend licenses to. And this month Italy has issued their first license to an operator of live dealer online poker. Finally Italians will have access to live dealer online poker.
The first license for live dealer online poker in Italy went to Evolution Gaming, which is no surprise considering that Evolution was the first software developer in the industry to earn the eCOGRA Certified Live Dealer Seal, which was in 2010. The seal was probably a large factor in the Alderney Gambling Control Commission’s decision to award Evolution the first Italian live dealer license. While the Italian online gambling expansion is leaning heavily on online poker and is taking in live dealer online poker, Evolution also offers live dealer blackjack, baccarat and roulette; there is potential down the line for Italy to expand its live dealer offerings at a later time.
Jens von Bahr, CEO of Evolution, said, “The opening up and reregulating 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—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.”
Clearly everyone is excited with the Italian online gambling market expansion and with its inclusion of live dealer online poker. It may only be a matter of time before the expansion is extended to include other live dealer online games, and Evolution is now in the perfect position to meet those needs should the opportunity arrive.