Evolution opened its first live casino studio in the Czech Republic, noting that future plans for Georgia depend on how the strike unfolds.
Evolution opened its first live casino studio in the Czech Republic yesterday (3 October) and said any future plans for Evolution Georgia, including replacement recruitment, will depend on how the situation evolves.
Evolution’s Prague studio, based in a standalone facility within the Kajot Intacto land-based casino, will initially offer roulette and infinite blackjack tables with native Czech-speaking dealers.
The company will add more live casino tables, including blackjack, roulette, poker, and baccarat, in the coming weeks.
These classic casino games will complement Evolution’s online slots portfolio already live in the Czech market.
“Leading the way in new regulated markets is central to Evolution’s growth strategy,” Evolution CEO for Europe Gionata La Torre said.
La Torre added: “The Prague studio launch opens up huge opportunity for Czech operators, as does the regulator’s approval of our infinite blackjack and roulette.
“Offering these games with native Czech-speaking dealers will help create a more immersive and engaging experience for players, fostering a strong rapport between dealers and players, which is key to building trust and long-term customer loyalty.”
Evolution Georgia update
The opening of the Prague studio comes against the backdrop of ongoing challenges at Evolution’s studio in Tbilisi, Georgia, where a strike has disrupted operations.
The strike, which has reached a stalemate, led to the reduction of 1,000 jobs in Georgia as the company grapples with significant operational disruptions.
According to Carl Linton, Evolution’s head of investor relations, the staff reduction was a necessary response to what the company describes as an “illegal blockade” by the trade union leading the strike.
“The decision to decrease our presence in Georgia was strictly commercial and was a result of union actions – and not in any way a response to the strike,” he said.
When asked by NEXT.io if the new studio in Prague would also cater to businesses previously served from Georgia, Linton replied: “Our primary objective is supporting the CZ market, however, we can add tables to serve other markets as well.”
Meanwhile, Evolution Georgia provided an update via its Facebook page, stating that currently around 300 employees – or 4% of Evolution Georgia’s workforce – remain on strike.
“As a direct result of the union’s actions, our operational capacity has decreased by 40%,” Evolution said, adding that it doesn’t see a “path to restoring our total workforce of 8,000 employees.”
Replacement recruitment to start
The company said, however, that it plans to stabilise its Georgian operations with replacement recruitment.
“For avoidance of any doubt, this decision is made to maintain our current (reduced) operational level and does not intend to increase the workforce at the Tbilisi studios,” the company said.
Evolution emphasised that if replacement recruitment does not occur, operations in Georgia will continue to decline.
The live casino giant warned that it might reverse its decision on limited hiring if stability is not achieved and if it experiences what it describes as the “illegal blocking of entrances, vandalism, violence, bullying, and harassment” again.
“Our future plans heavily depend on how the situation evolves,” the company said.