Lottomatica Offers Live Dealer Poker in Italy

Since Italian gambling laws were changed in 2011, to legalize poker and other casinos games, the country’s online gambling industry has been booming. Generating revenues of around EUR 130 million in its first full year, it is expected to triple in size in the very near future.

As a result, operators and developers alike seek to strike new deals to satisfy the rampant demand for various forms of online gambling entertainment.

The latest development to be reported by Italian gambling news sources is the partnership between Gruppo Lottomatica and Evolution Gaming, giving Italian players access to live dealer hold ‘em poker games.

Alderney and Malta-licensed software developer Evolution Gaming has been offering live roulette, blackjack and baccarat games in the Mediterranean country, but this will be the first of its live online poker sites in Italy. A mobile version is scheduled to be released later in the year.

Such video streamed live dealer games allow players to compete against other actual players via an internet connection.

Lottomatica launched the poker room with a real poker celebrity, double World Series bracelet winner Max Pescatori dealing the cards. The new table is filmed live at Evolution Gaming’s studios.

“We are very proud to have achieved yet another first in Italy for Evolution Gaming and for Lottomatica. This underlines our shared commitment to delivering the best live gaming experience across multiple channels,” expressed Evolution Gaming Italy CEO, Gionata La Torre.

The latest deal comes just a week after Evolution has included into its offer various specialty table games from US supplier SHFL Entertainment, including casino hold ‘em, with the aim to spice up the selection available to players in Italy and other regulated European markets.