New Philippine-based studio to deliver live casino content tailored to Southeast Asian preferences
Evolution has unveiled its first live casino studio in Asia, located in Cebu, Philippines. This move marks a significant milestone in Evolution’s global growth strategy and reflects the company’s commitment to regulated and rapidly developing gaming environments across Southeast Asia.
The studio, developed in partnership with One Visaya Gaming Corporation (OVG), will serve PAGCOR-licensed online gambling operators in the Philippines — currently the only regulated online gaming market in Asia. The Cebu studio underscores Evolution’s intent to capitalize on the region’s growing demand for real-time, interactive casino content.
Building for a Regulated Future in Asia
The Philippines continues to emerge as a regional hub for legal iGaming operations, with PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) providing a formal licensing regime that enables both domestic and offshore operators to offer online services within a structured framework. This model contrasts with the restrictive or ambiguous iGaming policies in many other Asian jurisdictions.
Gionata La Torre, Evolution’s CEO for Europe, highlighted the importance of the venture:
“This new studio is a major milestone in our long-term commitment to the region. Partnering with OVG allows us to deliver live content tailored to local preferences through licensed operators.”
Games with Local Flavor and Scalable Infrastructure
The Cebu facility currently features live Baccarat tables, a high-demand game format in Asian markets. However, Evolution plans to expand the offering in Q4 2025 with games such as Lightning Roulette, Marble Race, and a region-specific game called Super Color Game — designed to resonate with local cultural preferences and play styles.
The studio also follows Evolution’s broader trend of localised content creation, with similar efforts seen in the US, Canada, and various European jurisdictions. By focusing on market-specific game development, Evolution is positioning itself to serve not just national markets, but culturally defined gaming segments within larger regional clusters.
Strong Performance and Revenue Growth in Asia
Asia has quickly become a core revenue generator for Evolution, bringing in €201.9 million ($237.9 million) in Q1 2025 alone — the highest-earning region for the company that quarter. This reinforces the strategic value of the Cebu studio, both as a content engine and a compliance asset.
The live casino segment, which includes game shows and immersive table games, has shown consistent double-digit growth across Asia, particularly in mobile-first markets such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
A Model for Expansion Across Asia
While currently focused on the Philippines, Evolution hinted that further expansion across Asia is possible, contingent on regulatory developments. Should more countries adopt formalized licensing systems similar to PAGCOR’s, Evolution stands ready to deploy additional studios and technology infrastructure to meet demand.
This new Cebu studio represents more than a geographical expansion , it’s a strategic investment in regulated, culturally attuned gaming environments. With localization, regulatory alignment, and a diverse game portfolio, Evolution is not only scaling its reach but also helping to define the future of legal online gaming in Asia.
