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Our Comprehensive List of Casino Software Providers: World-Class Gaming Developers

Scott Lawson Written By Scott Lawson
Last Updated on 24.07.2024

Online casino gaming has evolved far beyond the days when giants like Microgaming, IGT, or Scientific Gaming dominated. Today, many software developers develop thousands of online games. We will look into the world’s leading gaming software developers, highlighting their strengths and specialities. Keep reading to discover which developer created the first-ever progressive jackpot slot in 1986.

Brief Reviews and Key Details of Each Developer

Consider this your personal online casino software developer directory. We have written extensive reviews on each of the companies below, so if something catches your eye, simply click through to learn more.

Each of the developers listed here is fully licensed with an excellent roster of games and has partnered with many reputable online casinos so whichever you choose you can be sure you’re in a safe place. Below you’ll find my listing of which companies produce the best casino software.

How to Evaluate Gambling Software Providers

There are a few things you should look out for when evaluating casino gaming software developers, as companies can look fantastic on the surface but may only offer a paltry few games.

The reverse can also be true where a company could offer hundreds of poor-quality titles. Follow the short list below to make sure you’re on the right track.

Variety & Quality of Games

A montage of slot reels, a roulette wheel, playing cards and some dice. In order for software providers to appeal to online casinos, and indeed their players, they must offer a wide range of games. A developer that makes regular slots as well as jackpots and table games is far more valuable to casino than one that only creates slots.

This doesn’t mean that a developer can’t create only slots, but that if they choose to, they had better be of great quality and as varied as possible in order for them to be worth paying for from the perspective of a casino site.

Bonus features are another useful way to make a title stand out from the crowd and while stacked wilds are a nice touch, a true bonus game-within-a-game is the best option to hold player interest.

A good example of this is Play’n GO’s Rage to Riches slot. This features an interactive bonus game that is easily triggered, in which players act as a monster smashing down buildings. Small rewards like this really elevate the overall player experience.

Some developers create game themes based on characters that feature in multiple slot games, or that make guest appearances in other games, which creates a sort of universe within that software provider’s library.

A good example of this is ELK Studios, whose characters can often be seen popping up in each other’s games. Other developers have secured licences to valuable intellectual property to create slot themes based on tv shows, films and other pop culture phenomena.

More recently, several slot developers have gone beyond the usual role of creating games and invented tools that help casinos, players and developers alike. For example, Yggdrasil’s BRAG tool allows players to share big wins with friends on social media platforms.

Also, Quickspin Promote offers casinos the chance to customise games and offer players tournaments and races against others, creating a more interactive gaming feel that promotes player loyalty.

RTPs, Fairness and Security

A green and white shield with a silver trim. RTPs, or return to player rates, are very important when it comes to choosing a game developer or title. The return rate is how much of a player’s bet they can expect to receive back from a game after a certain length of time, this will always be under 100%. For example, if a player chooses a game with an RTP of 96%, and bets £100 over 100 spins, they can fairly expect to end up with £96. It is the developer that decides this number and it is up to them to ensure it, though third-party auditors are required to check the accuracy and fairness of these rates under the laws of the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.

A transparent company is a safe company with regards to auditing. Developers that proudly display the results of these tests and the RTP rates of each game clearly make it easy for players to see that they have been checked for fairness and can be trusted. Sadly, this is not always the case and some companies make it almost impossible to find out the slot games with the highest RTPs, let alone the results of fairness checks.

If it is difficult to find out the RTP of a game, then it is probably one you should avoid. There are more than enough alternative slot games and developers out there that do display this information which make it unnecessary for you to play at any sites that are not forthcoming.

Mobile & Tablet Compatibility

A mobile phone displaying different casino games. Mobile gaming has become big business in recent years. With more players picking up mobile devices than sitting down at desktops, most developers are now turning their attention to mobile-first strategies to ensure their output can be enjoyed on as many devices as possible. In fact, development of mobile compatible games is now one of the fastest growing areas of the entire online gambling industry.

This rapid growth is thanks, in large part, to the development of new technology like HTML5. This computing language allows for smooth streaming of video and games within mobile web browsers. This has provided a major breakthrough for developers and online casinos alike, as players can now enjoy products on a mobile device without having to sacrifice valuable memory in downloading an app.

Though online casino games can still be played through dedicated mobile apps, the advent of HTML5 and its incorporation into the development of online games means that the titles themselves can reach a broader audience. Additionally, it’s easier than ever before for players to enjoy an immersive casino experience no matter where they happen to be, while developers can experiment with adding more special features to their products. Truly, it’s a win-win situation for both the game developers and the fans of their output.

How Does Online Casino Software Work?

Naturally, there are differences between the games you play in a land-based casino and those you play in an online casino. Though, to a player many of the rules and gameplay are basically the same, online games by necessity have to operate differently to their land-based counterparts.

To fully understand the work done by game developers, it’s wise to be aware of these differences and to understand how online casino software works. To give the best possible overview, let’s take a look back at the origins of online gambling software.

With the digital boom of the 1990s, developers like Microgaming, Playtech and NetEnt caught onto the new possibilities offered by the internet and started their own online casinos. Due to bandwidth limitations at the time, a lot of digital casino software was regularly downloaded onto desktops by players.

Some casinos still give that option to players, but it’s far less common platform now than it was 20 years ago. As internet speeds and technology improved, so too did online games. In recent years the industry has witnessed many breakthroughs in quick succession, leading to a climate of constant innovation and creativity in online gaming.

One of the biggest breakthroughs in recent years has been the advent of HTML5. This programming language has allowed for online casino games to be played on any device’s browser, whether desktop or mobile.

Improved AI and graphics have allowed developers to create incredibly realistic and immersive gaming experiences, replete with computer rendered croupiers such as in Yggdrasil’s Sonya Blackjack.

Betsoft and Realistic Games, in particular, have been exploiting the possibilities of high definition 3D graphics in crafting their casino products. Perhaps one of the most impressive examples of this is the rise of virtual reality gaming, which is being heavily explored by developers like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play.

Casino Software News

Things change quickly in the online gaming industry, so keep up to date with the latest developments with my up-to-the-minute news coverage. Check back here to see the latest stories about the best casino software developers as this page is constantly being updated. Find the most recent stories below.

We regularly monitor the iGaming news for interesting developments and trends, along with any new regulations or law changes and will make sure to share other relevant industry news here as well. If you are looking to find out more about individual companies, you can check out some of our top online casinos.

A Breakdown of the Selected Providers and Where to Play Their Games

The table below gives a final breakdown of the best casino gaming software providers mentioned on this page, including both big chains and independent casino sites. Find each company’s best slot game, the total number of games and the most highly-rated casinos in which to play them along with our final rating of each developer here.

If the below operators don’t tickle your fancy, you can check out our reviews of the top casino sites.

Popular Casino Software Providers
Software Provider Rating Best Slot Table Games Live Games Total Games Best Place to Play
4 out of 5 Stars Mega Moolah Yes No 552+
4 out of 5 Stars Beach Life Yes Yes 600+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Gonzo’s Quest Yes Yes 112+
4 out of 5 Stars Big Bad Wolf No No 46+
3.5 out of 5 Stars Book of Ra Yes No 300+
4 out of 5 Stars Elvis the King Lives Yes No 79+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Book of Dead Yes No 135+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Hong Kong Tower No No 23+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Pharaoh’s Fortune Yes No 300+
4 out of 5 Stars Robyn No No 90+
3.5 out of 5 Stars Flame Busters No No 29+
4 out of 5 Stars Vikings Go Wild Yes No 51+
3.5 out of 5 Stars Money Matrix Yes No 77+
3.5 out of 5 Stars Dragon Sisters No No 20+
3 out of 5 Stars Cirque Du Soleil Kooza Yes No 1,800+
3 out of 5 Stars Kawaii Kitty No No 143+
4 out of 5 Stars Caishen’s Gold Yes Yes 83+
3.5 out of 5 Stars Bonanza No No 22+
4 out of 5 Stars Foxin Wins No No 150+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Aztec Table Treasures No No 30+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Eagle Bucks No No 60+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Cosmic Dreams No No 50+
4 out of 5 Stars Spin and Spell No No 50+
5 out of 5 Stars Vikings Winter No No 20+
4 out of 5 Stars Pacific Boom Yes No 50+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Lucky Lucky Blackjack Yes No 20+
4 out of 5 Stars Caligula No No 10+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Crazy Chicken Yes No 20+
4 out of 5 Stars China Shores No No 10+
4 out of 5 Stars Fruit Vegas Yes No 20+
4 out of 5 Stars Candy Swap Yes No 20+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Rainbow Charms No No 15+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Book of Ra Yes No 100+
4 out of 5 Stars Hypernova No No 10+
4 out of 5 Stars Steampunk Queen No No 10+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Van Gogh No No 6+
3.5 out of 5 Stars 9k Yeti No No 3+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Diamond Bonanza No No 3+
4.4 out of 5 Stars Legend of Cleopatra No No 60+
4.5 out of 5 Stars The Equalizer Yes No 60+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Wild Buffalo No No 25+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Millionaire Genie Yes No 300+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Tironi’s Wilds No No 25+
5 out of 5 Stars Lightning Roulette Yes Yes 60+
4.4 out of 5 Stars Tomb of Nefertiti No No 50+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Unicorn Reels Yes No 48+
4.3 out of 5 Stars Golden Stallion No No 50+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Forbidden Forest Fruits No No 40+
4.6 out of 5 Stars 5 Lucky Lions Yes No 120+
4.2 out of 5 Stars Van Helsing’s Book of the Undead Yes No 35+
4.5 out of 5 Stars Rainbow Riches No No 50+
4.1 out of 5 Stars Manic Millions No No 30+
4.2 out of 5 Stars Temujin Treasures No No 180+
4.4 out of 5 Stars Jurassic Park No No 90+
4.5 out of 5 Stars The Goonies No No 600+
4.4 out of 5 Stars Wonder Woman No No 100+
4.7 out of 5 Stars Big Bounty Bill No No 80+

Frequently Asked Questions

I hope this page has answered all your questions about casino game software. If you have any remaining queries, feel free to check out the most frequently asked questions below. If your question has not been addressed, feel free to send me an email to contact@online-casinos.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Can you hack online casino software?

In a word, no. Online casinos employ the use of top-of-the-line encryption software to protect against hacking and data breaches. The games themselves are also regularly tested by third-party auditors to ensure they are secure and fair.

Which is the best online gambling software?

This is a matter of preference, and each gamer will have a favourite developer depending on which games they like best. For example, slots fans might say NextGen is the best, solely as the developer focuses exclusively on creating slots.

What is gambling software?

Gambling software is used in both land-based video slots and online casino games. With casino gambling software you’ll typically find complex algorithms and random number generators, to create games of chance, as well as computer rendered graphics for greater entertainment and immersion. It has even become possible with the advanced technology to play live casino games, streamed instantly in HD.

How does online gambling software work?

Like all casino games, gambling software and online games operate on calculations of chance. In the case of gambling software, this calculation is carried out by computer programming and RNG software. For more info, click here.

Where can I play free online casino games without downloading?

A lot of online casinos offer the ability to play games for free before betting real money. These games can be accessed directly through your desktop or mobile browser, without any need to download the software platform. This does depend on where you are based. For example, if you read our other online casino reviews, you will learn that you need to be a member of a casino before you can play free games.

What different kinds of online casinos are there?

There are basically two kinds of online casinos. The first is via a software download, which allows the player to download an interface to their computer. The second, more common version, are no-download or 'instant play' casinos, which use web plug-ins like Flash or Java, or HTML5 coding.

I have an Apple computer, can I play at casinos and poker rooms online?

Yes. Though many casinos are designed to operate on PCs, most modern operators use instant-play technology, or run plug-ins like Flash and Java that will run on a Mac. Live dealer software, poker rooms and any casinos that do not require a download will be compatible with Apple Mac computers.