Evolution Opening Live Studio for Connecticut Online Gaming

The burgeoning Connecticut online gaming scene has another option underway.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Monday that Evolution Gaming opened live studio operations with a seven-day soft launch. The full launch is scheduled to begin July 18.

The Evolution studio in Fairfield will offer live dealer options.

“With the addition of Evolution, we are continuing to provide a modern, technologically advanced gaming experience that provides an elevated user experience for eligible residents and is competitive with our neighboring states,” Lamont said in a news release. “Connecticut has proven to be a leader when it comes to the gaming economy going back decades, and this expansion allows those who want to participate to continue doing so, responsibly.”

According to the release, the company’s new studio already has hired 140 workers and plans to build its workforce to 400. State law dictates that a company must operate a physical facility in Connecticut to offer live dealer games there.

Evolution’s live dealer games — limited to blackjack and roulette during the soft launch period but with plans to expand upon full launch — will have live dealer games available on both the FanDuel Casino and DraftKings apps in Connecticut.

That adds to a plethora of live games in the state, and the list keeps growing.

Just last week, DraftKings Casino announced it was adding Bragg Gaming options in Connecticut. Players in the state can play Bragg’s Spin Games RGS (remote game server) slots including Galaxy Gaming’s 21 + 3 Progressive Blackjack and Ripley's Big Wheel.

And in March, DraftKings agreed to a deal with Inspired Entertainment to offer that company’s games in the Nutmeg State.

Connecticut is one of six states to offer real money online gaming, also known as iGaming. When the state launched in October 2021, it joined a list that now includes West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Those states also all have legalized online poker along with Nevada.

In May, the Connecticut casino handle increased 1.8% in a month-over-month comparison, from $760.56 million in April to $774.15 million. But revenue fell 10.2%, from $18.47 million to $16.58 million.