Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioIn a reversal of industry trends, Gaming Arts is reportedly adapting some of Evolution’s most popular online slot titles for land-based casinos, with US launches expected to begin in late 2025.
Neither company has issued a press release as of the time of publication. However, reports from industry outlets such as Gambling Insider and Gaming America describe the deal as a partnership to bring Evolution’s iGaming titles to retail slot cabinets.
If confirmed, the move would represent a rare instance of a major iGaming supplier adapting digital-first titles for use on physical casino floors—a reversal of the strategy commonly adopted by content providers.
Gaming Arts’ Land-Based Roots & Popular Titles
While Evolution is a digital gaming giant, Gaming Arts comes from the opposite side of the gaming spectrum. Its focus is on land-based casinos, particularly with electronic bingo and keno systems, before expanding into video slot content.
In recent years, the Las Vegas–based supplier has gained traction with some of its slot series. They include Kung Fu Empress, Brian Christopher’s Pop’N Pays More, Casino Wizard, Let’s Spin, and Cyber Dragon Gold.
Its strong presence in retail casinos positions Gaming Arts as a strong partner to translate Evolution’s digital brands into land-based gaming.
Evolution Has Been Entirely Digital — Until Now
Unlike Gaming Arts, Evolution has never had a native footprint on casino floors. The company built its reputation as the world’s leading live casino provider. It’s known for streaming table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. It also produces top live game shows, such as Crazy Time.
Evolution also holds a significant presence with online slots through its subsidiary studios. They include NetEnt, Red Tiger Gaming, Big Time Gaming, and NoLimit City.
Unlike traditional land-based suppliers such as IGT, Light & Wonder, or Aristocrat, Evolution does not manufacture cabinets, develop operating systems for physical machines, or distribute content for on-premise casino floors.
That makes the reported partnership with Gaming Arts notable as it would be the first time Evolution’s games appear in land-based casinos.
Divine Fortune: A Jackpot Staple
Among the titles reportedly slated for adaptation is Divine Fortune, one of the most recognizable progressive jackpot slots globally, including at US online casinos. Developed by NetEnt, it has been a fixture in regulated markets, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, for years.
The game features three progressive jackpots — Minor, Major, and Mega — with the Mega frequently climbing past $100,000. In New Jersey alone, documented wins on Divine Fortune have topped $300,000 multiple times. Additionally, its steady stream of smaller five-figure payouts has helped make it a player favorite.
Starburst: Simplicity That May Translate to Casino Floors
Another popular slot that could come to casino floors is Starburst. The game, also developed by NetEnt, has achieved a near-legendary status since its 2012 debut. That’s due to its straightforward mechanics and low volatility.
Unlike complex, feature-heavy slots, Starburst centers on expanding wilds and simple left-and-right pays, without any bonus games.
The simplicity of this slot has appealed to both casual and high-frequency online casino players. It could align with the preferences of many retail casino patrons, who often opt for rapid gameplay over complex bonus structures.
A Rare Reverse Migration in a Digital-First Era
If confirmed, the Gaming Arts–Evolution collaboration would represent a sharp contrast to the current direction of game development.
Over the past decade, suppliers of many iconic retail slots, such as Buffalo, 88 Fortunes, Cleopatra, and Wheel of Fortune, have created digital adaptations for online casinos. This strategy has enabled them to leverage brand recognition, supporting both their own growth and that of online operators.
Adapting digital-first games in the opposite direction flips that logic. Games like Divine Fortune and Starburst have garnered a substantial following without traditional marketing or exposure on the retail casino floor.
As the share of players who frequent both online and retail casinos increases — 36% overall and more than half among younger adults in New Jersey, according to Rutgers University — bringing these titles to physical casinos could enable operators to tap into existing customer equity.
If successful, the partnership could open the door for more digital slots to transition to land-based casinos. That will likely contribute to a further increase in players playing at both types of verticals.
A Path Into Regulated US Markets for Evolution
The reported land-based expansion will allow Evolution to strengthen its presence in the US. The company recently expanded to Rhode Island via a partnership with Bally’s Casino. That meant that Evolution’s content is now available in all seven US iGaming states: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.
However, that also means that there’s little room for growth as online casino legalization has stalled in recent years. The company has also supplied content to unregulated sweepstakes casinos. However, it was recently named as a defendant in a lawsuit, which could prompt it to rethink that strategy.
Partnering with Gaming Arts could provide Evolution with an alternative route to expanding into the US market. Evolution could integrate its brands into retail casino floors, which still generate the majority of gambling revenue.
The news comes against a backdrop of long-running scrutiny of Evolution’s global business practices, particularly in unregulated markets. The company has faced accusations that its content reaches unregulated or gray markets.
By placing some of its games in licensed, land-based casinos, Evolution could increase the portion of revenue it generates from regulated markets. According to its latest financial reports, they currently account for only 44%.
If confirmed, the Gaming Arts partnership could strengthen the two-way bridge between iGaming and retail gaming. Additionally, it could mark a new chapter for Evolution’s role in the US market.
