Pragmatic Play LIVE Dealer Studio Enters the UK Market Through SkillOnNet Partnership
Pragmatic Play had made a strong name for itself as an online casino content supplier, so the absence of a UK launch for its live dealer platform stood out.
A new agreement with SkillOnNet, a casino platform provider, was expected to bring Pragmatic Play’s HTML5 live dealer games to desktop and mobile users, marking the studio’s planned entry into the UK.
An announcement on the Pragmatic Play website said UK players would be able to access more than 43 live tables covering blackjack, roulette and speed roulette. These games joined Evolution Gaming and NetEnt live games already available at casinos operated by SkillonNet, including DrueckGlueck, PlayOJO and AhtiGames.
The two companies already had an established commercial relationship. SkillOnNet-operated casinos carried Pragmatic Play’s award-winning slot catalogue, with more than 100 HTML5 titles, including Great Rhino, Wolf Gold and the popular John Hunter and the Secrets of Da Vinci’s treasure.
Alongside slots, Pragmatic Play supplied table games, bingo and scratch cards. Its Live Casino offering had taken a back seat until this expansion brought the studio into greater prominence.
For Pragmatic Play, the agreement was an important step in extending its live dealer studio’s international reach, with SkillOnNet serving as a distribution partner. The article connected SkillOnNet’s UK operations with its longstanding relationship with the UK Gambling Commission. The regulator would already have been familiar with Pragmatic Play through the company’s virtual casino games, played by thousands of UK customers.
The deal also brought Pragmatic Play’s broader games portfolio together with SkillOnNet’s distribution network across several jurisdictions. As reported at the time, those markets required online casinos to obtain local licences and included Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark and Schleswig Holstein, as well as the UK. The article also pointed to SkillOnNet’s MGA licence as a means of reaching wider international markets.
Lana Bleichyk, acting manager of the ‘Pragmatic Play Live Studio’ opened in April 2019, said the supplier was pleased to expand its relationship with SkillOnNet and reach additional markets through its live dealer platform.
Jani Kontturi, SkillOnNet’s Head of Games, also welcomed the deal, saying the platform could offer its casino partners another Pragmatic Play collection. The expanded catalogue gave UK casinos such as Play Ojo more Live Casino options for their customers.
The launch marked Pragmatic Play’s entry into the UK online casino live dealer market. A UKGC industry report attributed 37.1% of the country’s gross gambling yield to remote casino, betting and bingo gambling, valued at €5.3 billion within an industry worth £14.4.
At the time, Pragmatic Play already had several other live dealer games, including Roulette Italy, Roulette Germany and Roulette Russia, while an Asian Studio was reportedly in development. Following the UK launch, the company might add more live tables. The article speculated that baccarat, poker and other games could follow, but these were potential future additions rather than confirmed releases. baccarat
Evan Carrington brings more than 12 years of experience in the iGaming industry, with a focus on reviewing online casinos, assessing slot games and examining player safety. Their work covers casino licensing, RTP, volatility, bonus terms and withdrawal policies. Drawing on practical testing and independent research, Evan provides clear, evidence-based reviews to help players understand gambling platforms, their features and possible risks.
