Internationally renowned gambling technology and content provider Evolution recently announced that its first live casino studio in Asia, located in Cebu, Philippines, has officially commenced operations, serving online gambling platforms licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). This project marks an important strategic milestone for Evolution in deepening its engagement in the Asia-Pacific region and accelerating its expansion in Southeast Asia.
This new studio, developed in collaboration with local operator One Visaya Gaming Corporation (OVG), initially offers live Baccarat services and plans to launch a series of regionally customized game content by the end of the year, including popular games such as Lightning Roulette, Super Color Game, and the virtual game Marble Race.
Gionata La Torre, CEO of Evolution Europe, stated: "The Cebu project is not only a key starting point for our Asian strategy but also a result of our collaboration with local partners to create localized entertainment experiences. We will continue to meet the expectations of Southeast Asian users for high-quality live gambling experiences with innovative content."
Data shows that Evolution generated revenue of 201 million euros (approximately 238 million US dollars) in the Asian market in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing any other region, indicating the growing demand for gambling in Asia. The Philippines remains the only country in Asia with a formal online gambling regulatory framework, providing legal protection for Evolution's entry and laying a regulatory foundation for its expansion in Southeast Asia.
The Cebu live center will operate in compliance with PAGCOR's regulatory standards, offering 24-hour live content to meet the growing market demand for immersive gambling entertainment in the Asia-Pacific region. Evolution also stated that it will continue to optimize product experiences based on user feedback and assess the possibility of landing in more Asian compliant markets.
However, despite Evolution's entry into a regulated "legal channel," industry insiders still remind to pay attention to the regulatory gaps and ambiguities in other Asian countries' gambling laws. Some gray markets may be exploited for money laundering or cross-border fraud activities, and there is still tension between industry development and regulation. Whether the Cebu model can be replicated depends on further opening and transparency of the regional compliance environment.
As the gambling fever in Southeast Asia continues to rise, Evolution's move will undoubtedly give it a competitive edge in the regional market, but it will also face dual challenges of compliance and public opinion.
