Martin Carlesund runs Evolution Group, the company behind most of the live dealer games you find at licensed US online casinos. If you have ever played live blackjack, roulette, or a game show title like Crazy Time, there’s a strong chance Evolution built the studio behind it.
Carlesund has led Evolution as Group CEO since 2016. Under his leadership, the company grew from a live casino specialist into one of the largest gaming technology suppliers in the world, with studios spanning several continents.
This profile covers his career path, his biggest business decisions, and what his leadership means for players at regulated US online casinos.
Quick Facts: Martin Carlesund
| Full name | Martin Olof Carlesund |
| Title | Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) |
| Company | Evolution AB (Evolution Group) |
| Born | 1970, Sweden |
| Education | MSc in Finance, University of Borås; coursework in computer science, law, and mathematics at Gothenburg School of Economics and Linköping University |
| Joined Evolution | 2015, as CEO of Evolution Malta |
| Group CEO since | October 2016, succeeding co-founder Jens von Bahr |
| Previous roles | CEO of Highlight Media Group, Eniro Sverige, Eniro Finland, and 3L System AB |
Martin Carlesund’s Career Timeline
Carlesund’s path to the top of Evolution ran through Swedish media, telecom, and affiliate marketing companies before he ever touched a casino table.
- 2015: Joins Evolution as CEO of its Malta operating entity.
- 2016: Named Group CEO of Evolution Gaming, taking over from co-founder Jens von Bahr.
- 2018: Evolution acquires Ezugi, adding RNG games and expanding its reach into US-facing markets.
- 2020: Evolution buys NetEnt, adding a major slots catalog to its live casino lineup.
- 2021 to 2022: Evolution adds Big Time Gaming and Nolimit City, bringing high-volatility slot mechanics into the group.
- 2025 to 2026: Carlesund leads a compliance-focused push in Europe and steers a fresh expansion push into the US and Latin America.
Education and Early Career
Carlesund holds a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Borås, along with coursework in computer science, law, and mathematics from the Gothenburg School of Economics and Linköping University.
That mix of finance, tech, and legal training shows up in how he runs Evolution today. He talks about growth targets the same way he talks about server uptime and licensing rules, treating all three as part of one job.
Before joining Evolution, Carlesund built his executive résumé across Swedish media and telecom. He served as CEO of Highlight Media Group, a gaming affiliate network, and held the top job at Eniro Sverige, Eniro Finland, and 3L System AB.
Building Evolution Into a Live Casino Giant
The NetEnt and Nolimit City Deals
Carlesund’s first major swing as CEO was the 2020 purchase of NetEnt, a leading slots developer. Evolution raised its stake to roughly 97 percent, folding NetEnt’s catalog into its own live casino lineup.
In August 2022, Evolution added Nolimit City to the portfolio. The deal brought high-volatility slot mechanics into the group, broadening what Evolution could offer operators beyond live dealer tables.
Responding to Regulatory Pressure
Between 2025 and 2026, Carlesund directed Evolution to tighten its geolocation and licensing controls across Europe, a move often called “ring-fencing” inside the industry.
The goal was to keep Evolution’s content flowing only through licensed operators. It came at a cost in the short term, with European revenue dipping, but it strengthened the company’s standing with regulators.
Evolution also dealt with cyberattacks and IP theft targeting its operations in Asia during this period.
Expanding Into the US Market
Carlesund has pushed Evolution deeper into the US through its Ezugi brand, which relaunched in New Jersey with the goal of becoming one of the largest live casino providers in North America.
He has also overseen a pending deal to acquire Galaxy Gaming, a Las Vegas-based table games specialist, though the transaction has faced delays with Nevada regulators.
A licensing partnership with Hasbro is another piece of the US growth plan, bringing Monopoly-branded live games to operators.
Awards and Recognition
Under Carlesund, Evolution has picked up a long list of industry awards for its live casino products and studio technology. Names and years below should be confirmed against the awarding bodies before publication.
| Award | Details |
| Casino Supplier of the Year | Multiple wins across major industry awards shows, including the EGR B2B Awards. |
| Digital Industry Supplier of the Year | Global Gaming Awards recognition for technical performance. |
| Best Online Casino Supplier | Global Gaming Awards, recognizing growth in the live casino sector. |
| Product of the Year, NetEnt slot title | Global Gaming Awards recognition following the NetEnt integration. |
| Casino Product of the Year, Red Tiger slot title | Recognition for a title that remains popular in Evolution’s portfolio. |
What Martin Carlesund’s Leadership Means for US Players
Most US players never see Carlesund’s name, but they see his work every time they log into a regulated online casino. Evolution supplies the live dealer studios and game shows behind many of the tables offered at licensed operators across states like New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and West Virginia.
That includes flagship titles such as Lightning Roulette, Crazy Time, and, more recently, Monopoly Live under the Hasbro partnership.
Carlesund’s compliance-first approach also matters to players. His push to ring-fence licensed markets means Evolution’s games are meant to appear only at operators holding the right licenses, which supports a safer and more accountable online casino market.
As Evolution keeps investing in new studios and game formats, players in regulated states can expect a steady stream of new live dealer variants and game shows landing at their favorite licensed sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Martin Carlesund?
Martin Carlesund is the Group CEO of Evolution, a Swedish company that supplies live dealer casino games and slots to online casino operators around the world. He has held the role since 2016.
What company does Martin Carlesund lead?
He leads Evolution AB, often called Evolution Group, a publicly traded gaming technology company headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.
What is Martin Carlesund’s professional background?
Before Evolution, he was CEO of Highlight Media Group, Eniro Sverige, Eniro Finland, and 3L System AB. He holds a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Borås.
What are Martin Carlesund’s biggest deals as CEO?
His tenure includes the acquisitions of NetEnt, Big Time Gaming, and Nolimit City, along with a Hasbro licensing partnership and an in-progress deal for Galaxy Gaming.
Does Evolution operate in the United States?
Yes. Evolution supplies live casino content to operators in regulated states through its Ezugi brand and its core live casino studios, and it has stated plans to keep growing its US footprint.
Is Evolution’s technology safe and licensed?
Evolution holds licenses in multiple regulated markets and has publicly emphasized compliance and licensing controls under Carlesund’s leadership. Always check that any operator offering Evolution games holds a valid license in your state before you play.
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