Online gaming supplier Evolution plans to establish a new live casino studio in Grand Rapids, bringing more than 300 jobs to West Michigan. The company already employs nearly 1,000 people across the state and says it needs additional space to support continued growth.
CEO Jacob Claesson recently walked through the nearly empty facility, describing how quickly it will transform. "It looks very empty now, but in a couple of months we will have a lot of tables up and running here," Evolution North America CEO Jacob Claesson said.
Claesson expects the workforce at the new location to surpass 300 employees.
The company produces live dealer content streamed to online casino platforms including FanDuel, Hard Rock and BetMGM. Claesson explained how the format works for players logging in from home. "Live casino is essentially that you play with a real dealer from your own device, wherever you are, and that's streamed from one of our studios. We provide that to essentially all the online casinos around the world," Claesson said.
Michigan regulations require in-state studios for online casino play. Evolution already operates a studio in Southfield but has reached its current limits.
During a recent visit, Claesson allowed cameras inside the gaming floor, describing the access as unusual. "So this is a rare moment, and I would say this is actually the only time we've allowed someone to come in and film inside of a gaming floor," Claesson said.
Monopoly Live Set for Michigan Debut
The Grand Rapids site will host the Michigan launch of Monopoly Live, a branded live casino title the company considers a major release for the year. "We're launching Monopoly Live here in Michigan. So this will definitely be the biggest launch of this year," Claesson said.
Claesson said repeated visits to the city convinced him to expand there. He pointed to the welcoming atmosphere he encountered throughout West Michigan. "I didn't know the terminology West Michigan nice until then, but I just felt that friendliness, people were smiling, people were greeting you, and that was not just one interaction," Claesson said. "It was the Uber drivers. There were the hotels, the cafes, the restaurants that I went to. So that really helped me with that decision."
Major Win and Industry Recognition
The expansion news follows other recent milestones for the company. During a bonus round of Crazy Time, six consecutive spins landed on DOUBLE, producing a 20,000x maximum multiplier. The result generated a €16.9 million payout shared among more than 5,500 players.
The company also announced it had been named European Casino Content Supplier at the EGR Europe Awards 2026. The recognition highlights its focus on localized products and technology for the European iGaming market. Evolution cited offerings such as its OSS platform, customized live environments and Dream Creator product, along with ongoing partnerships and new game development.
Together, the Michigan expansion, high-profile game launches and recent accolades mark a period of sustained activity for the live casino provider as it increases its footprint in the state and abroad.
Source:
“Evolution’s Post”, linkedin.com “Evolution”, February 19, 2026
