Evolution Gaming, the pioneers of broadcast quality casino games, has agreed a deal to provide 888.com, one of the world’s most popular online gaming companies, with live-dealer Baccarat, Blackjack and Roulette as the next step in 888.com’s drive to be the global online gaming industry leader.

The partnership was announced today at London’s International Gaming Expo at a time when Evolution’s state-of the-art live dealing proposition is increasingly being favoured by the market leading gaming industry brands. The cutting-edge TV quality live casino games will improve 888’s offering further and boost revenues.

With some of Evolution’s clients citing a revenue increase of more than 50% after adding live gaming to their sites, the London, Stockholm and Riga based business has moved to increase the size of its TV studios by 150%, as well as doubling the size of its staff to meet demand.

“The addition of Evolution’s products to 888.com’s platform can be seen as a recognition that in 2009 live gaming will be the key to growth in addition to random-number-generator systems,” said Jens von Bahr, CEO of Evolution Gaming. “Our client’s customers now have the option of playing their favourite games in real-life style casinos while interacting with their own croupier.”

The partnership is expected not only to bolster 888.com’s offering to consumers, but also contribute significantly to business-to-business growth as live dealer will now become part of 888.com’s B2B suit.

Gigi Levy, CEO of 888.com commented: “The potential of live casino as a revenue stream is significant for 888.com. Like with everything we offer our customers as the world’s leading online casino, 888.com will localise and adapt Evolutions’ product to make it appeal to every market in which we operate.”

888.com is the first partner to sign-up with Evolution in 2009 and cements its position as the world’s leading provider in live-dealer gaming with a platform which reaches over 10 million players in more than fifty countries. Evolution’s other market-leading clients include Party Gaming, William Hill and Gala Coral.

“We have only just scratched the service of what the live dealer platform can offer and continue to invest in developing technology and games that can bring our platform to an even bigger audience, from online operators to land based casinos,” said Jens von Bahr.