Evolution to launch Deal or No Deal live concept in 2013
Exclusive three-year international agreement (excluding UK) with Endemol - live concept and development in "very early stages" but first licensee scheduled to go live in 2013.
Evolution Gaming has signed an exclusive three-year international agreement with the world’s largest television producer to launch the Deal or No Deal brand into the online live dealer market, the company announced this morning.
The exclusive global deal with Endemol, the company behind Big Brother and Million Pound Drop, will see Evolution develop new live dealer casino games with the Deal or No Deal brand, which will be distributed across its network excluding the United Kingdom.
No further details were available as to which operator will be the first to integrate the new game or games with the live concept and development said to be in the “very early stages”, however it is scheduled to go live sometime in 2013.
Jens von Bahr, chief executive of Evolution who has been negotiating the deal for several months, said: “Deal or No Deal for the live online market is the first milestone in what we expect to be a long and fruitful partnership. There are many more brands and multi-channel opportunities for us to explore together.
“Branded content is an important part of our strategy moving forward “ and there’s no better way to start than by launching one of the most celebrated big-money-prize TV show brands into the online live arena,” he added.
Jurian VanDerMeer, managing director at Endemol Games, said: “Evolution is the perfect partner to take the Deal or No Deal brand to a different level, on a global scale. Like Endemol Games, Evolution is innovative and committed to delivering the best end-player experience.”
Richard Hadida, Evolution’s creative directo, added: “The live gambling version of Deal or No Deal will be another exciting example Evolution’s flair for delivering innovative, nerve-testing games in real time to players’ PC and iPad screens. Deal or No Deal is a unique game that will achieve massive standout and offer huge potential to attract new players, new demographics and new revenue streams to our licensees’ online operations.”
Before the end of the year Evolution will launch what it claims to be the world’s first live slot game, which integrates a mini game show with a live presenter, iPad versions of its live roulette and live blackjack games, live Casino Hold’em poker, and a live roulette broadcast on Italian television with Lottomatica that uses its feed from its tables in Riga.