PGCB Grants Waiver for Evolution to Add 21+3 Side Wager to Live Free Bet Blackjack

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) granted Evolution Gaming Group a waiver on 5 October 2022, authorising the use of the 21+3 side wager in live dealer Free Bet Blackjack under specific state regulatory provisions. This approval formally allows Evolution to offer the widely popular three-card poker side wager in its Pennsylvania live casino products, aligning with §§ 633a.6(e)(9), 633a.7(g)(8), and 633a.13(k) of state gaming rules.

Evolution’s 21+3 Side Wager Approval in Pennsylvania

The waiver provides Evolution with the regulatory basis to expand its live casino content for Pennsylvania-licensed operators. The 21+3 side wager, already familiar to land-based and digital blackjack players, now becomes available in Evolution’s live Free Bet Blackjack, offering an additional poker-based bet option alongside the core game.

The decision refers to an exemption concerning Free Play Blackjack (672a), clarifying that offering the 21+3 wager is consistent with current PGCB frameworks. This confirms the regulator’s willingness to accommodate new bet types where aligned with state rules.

Regulatory Background: Key Compliance Points

The PGCB’s move rests on adherence to the following sections:

• § 633a.6(e)(9): Addresses approved wagers and house rules in blackjack variants.
• § 633a.7(g)(8): Refers to authorised side wagers on blackjack tables.
• § 633a.13(k): Details on game integrity and permitted betting options.

By referencing these sections, the waiver formalises Evolution’s compliance obligations and ensures the additional side wager meets the standards applied to regulated casino content in Pennsylvania.

Impact on Evolution and Pennsylvania Live Casino Market

For Evolution Gaming Group, the waiver enables a broader offering to local operators seeking to diversify their live casino portfolios. The 21+3 side wager creates new engagement opportunities for casino players who favour multi-outcome betting. The product enhancement supports Evolution’s strategic aim to tailor content for each regulated U.S. market.

From the market perspective, the PGCB’s decision signals openness to incremental game feature adoption provided statutory safeguards are followed. Evolution remains responsible for operational integrity under its licensing, and must ensure both base game and side wagers conform to state-mandated procedures.

What Operators Must Know About the PGCB Waiver

• Evolution’s license now covers 21+3 side wager in live Free Bet Blackjack, effective from 5 October 2022.
• The waiver was made in reference to the Free Play Blackjack section (672a), not as a permanent rule change but as a regulatory accommodation.
• All deployments require strict adherence to gameplay, payout, and disclosure standards already set by the PGCB under the cited sections.
• Pennsylvania operators using Evolution’s live product should ensure their platforms reflect this feature update and communicate clearly to players about side wager availability.

Looking Forward: Significance for Game Suppliers and the PGCB

PGCB’s approach—granting targeted waivers within existing frameworks—continues to shape the development pipeline for live and online casino content in the Commonwealth. For game suppliers, the process highlights the need for precise alignment with not only the state’s licensing pathways but also the specific rule sets governing any new wager types or features.

Applicants considering similar product enhancements in the Pennsylvania market must be prepared to reference relevant sections of the Code and may pursue waivers for features not explicitly listed, provided operational controls are clearly defined and the regulator’s conditions fulfilled.

"By ensuring new features like the 21+3 side wager fall within regulatory guardrails, the PGCB both supports innovation and protects game integrity." — Statement reflected in the waiver conditions

A deliberate path of limited waivers, rather than wholesale code revisions, allows the PGCB flexibility to respond to industry developments while maintaining direct control over game procedures and consumer protections. This method will likely inform regulatory approaches as new game formats and features arise in the Pennsylvania market.