In a move that marks a significant shift in the gaming industry, Evolution has partnered with Gaming Arts to bring some of its most iconic online slot games to physical casino floors across North America. The companies will collaborate to adapt a selection of NetEnt titles - under Evolution’s ownership—for land-based play, with the first games set to roll out in Q4 2025.
Four titles will lead the launch, running exclusively on Gaming Arts’ MOD EX cabinet lineup, including the MOD EX J55, 227, and 337. These high-performance cabinets will showcase reimagined versions of globally popular online slots, now tailored for in-person play.
Divine Fortune and Starburst Lead the Transition
Heading the lineup is Divine Fortune, Evolution’s top-performing online slot in the U.S. market. Its widespread success in states like Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania has made it a staple in digital casinos. Now, players will be able to experience this fan favorite on physical machines. Joining it is Divine Fortune Ascension, a newly developed sequel featuring a “three-pot perceived persistence” mechanic, designed to elevate player engagement.
Also featured in the release is Starburst, one of the most recognized titles in online slot history. Since its 2012 launch, it has inspired sequels like Starburst XXXtreme and Starburst Galaxy. For land-based casinos, it will be offered as part of a two-game pack alongside Starburst Supernova. Both games are multiplayer-enabled and introduce a new persistent bonus that leads to a hold-and-spin feature—bringing a fresh twist to the long-standing favorite.
A Reverse in Gaming Trends
Traditionally, slot content has flowed from land-based machines to online platforms. This partnership reverses that trend, taking successful digital titles and adapting them for in-person casino play.
“Since the beginning of online gaming, content has traditionally flowed in one direction — from land-based casinos to online,” emphasized Todd Haushalter, Chief Product Officer at Evolution.“What excites us now is reversing that trend by taking some of the most successful games in the history of online gaming and bringing them to land-based casinos.”
Haushalter credited Evolution’s land-based partner, Bluhare Studios, and praised Gaming Arts for translating online hits into immersive casino experiences.
Strategic Growth and Brand Expansion
This collaboration is more than a product launch—it opens doors for integrated marketing across platforms and strengthens brand loyalty among players familiar with the online versions.
“We are collaborating closely with the Evolution team to effectively adapt these classics for land-based play, while also innovating to create fresh, engaging experiences that will resonate with today’s casino players,” said Greg Colella, Chief Product Officer at Gaming Arts.
Gaming Arts CEO Rob Ziems added, “This collaboration goes beyond simply combining Evolution’s exceptional game brands with our latest MOD EX hardware. We’re innovating and modernizing them to create fresh, engaging experiences that will truly resonate with today’s casino players.”
With this partnership, Evolution and Gaming Arts are set to redefine how gaming content transitions between platforms, delivering familiar favorites to a new audience on the casino floor.
Source:
“Evolution and Gaming Arts in partnership to bring iconic online games to land-based casinos”, Press Release, Sep 15, 2025.
