Casino Software Providers
If casinos were like regular businesses, casino software providers would be the equivalent of product suppliers. They would be the companies providing raw materials to be processed, packaged, branded, and promoted by individual businesses.
Software providers play a more critical role than average suppliers. They provide fully designed, ready to play games so that the casino’s sole job is to provide a platform for players.
In the case of progressive jackpot slots, software makers are responsible for paying out progressive jackpots. Now that their role is clear, let’s dig deeper to discover major brands, their games, and where to find them.
What is a Software Provider?
A software provider is a third-party company that designs and programs slots, poker, roulette, blackjack, and other casino games. It then leases these games to online casinos on a monthly or yearly basis.
That means software providers own full rights for their games. As such, they can permit or ban casinos from providing their games at will. That said, casino software providers also follow the rules and regulations like many UK casinos.
For that reason, not every software provider provides its games to casinos-based in the UK. If a new developer wants to operate in Britain, it must acquire a license from the Gambling Commission. It then has to prove it offers safe and fair games.
Luckily for you, nearly all of the best 50 software providers have licenses to operate in the UK. Most of these providers have a diverse range of slots and card games. All you need is to find a reliable casino that offers their games.
The Future of Game Providers
Casino software providers are as important to casinos as they were two decades ago. In fact, they now play a bigger role in shaping up the future of the gambling industry. Here are the reasons why:
- VR Support
- Creating skill-based games
- Providing bigger jackpots
- Quality of graphics
- Security
- Next-generation games
A decade from now, the best software providers will be casinos vested in creating innovative, futureproof games. They must be quick adopters of technology, trend-savvy, and be able to create games people will like proactively.
In other words, the next-generation of software providers are the companies providing VR slots. They support high-quality graphics. Their games work on mobile devices. Importantly, they build their matches based on the demands of players.
Fruity Slots Top 5 Game Providers
Playtech
Established in 1999, Playtech is one of the oldest running software providers in the world. It’s based in London and offers a little bit of everything. What that means is that it offers slots, table games, and live dealers.
Playtech is particularly famous for creating branded slots like Thor, Iron Man 2, and Ghost Rider. It’s also known for supplying exclusive licenses so that a casino only offers games from the company.
In all fairness, Playtech providing genuinely high-quality games. Its slots have, on average, over 95% RTP and have jackpots up to £5 million.
Microgaming
Established in 1994, Microgaming claims to have powered the world’s first online casino. However, it probably wouldn’t be popular were it not the biggest supplier of slots. The Isle of Man-based developer offers over 1000 slots, more than any other software provider.
Microgaming offers games to hundreds of casinos in the UK, including the globally acclaimed Mega Moolah jackpot. For reference, that is the same game Afghan soldier played to win £13.2 million in 2015.
Microgaming is one of a few providers with a game that supports virtual reality—Thunderstruck II. Most of its games are also mobile responsive and offer incredibly high payout rates.
NetEnt
Sweden-based NetEnt is one of the most respected software providers, and deservedly so. Launched in 1996, it’s one of the most innovative developers in the world. Two of its slots, Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest, are heralded to help revolutionize how slots are designed.
Besides slots, NetEnt also supplies table games and live dealers. It’s a quick adopter with four VR slots and hundreds of mobile-responsive games. It also provides progressive jackpots like Mega Fortunes and Hall of Gods.
Based on its continuously growing reputation, NetEnt will most likely be a force to reckon with a decade from now. Its innovation-first approach to game design, high payouts, and trendy nature will keep it providing top-rated games.
Evolution Gaming
Latvia-based Evolution Gaming belongs to this category for one crucial reason. It is the leading supplier of live casino games. This company offers every game that can be played in a live setting from blackjack and poker to roulette and baccarat.
For the uninitiated, live gaming involves playing table games against a human dealer or fellow gamblers. It eliminates RNG software and links you with fellow humans through web cameras and well-organized sessions.
In the UK, Evolution Gaming provides games to nearly all casinos that support this genre of games. It has English-speaking dealers who operate its casino rooms spread out in all major cities. Of course, it features VIP tables with branded tables and high limits.
Betsoft
Betsoft doesn’t get the credit it deserves often enough. First off, it’s been around for over two decades, providing more than 100 slots and table games to hundreds of casinos. It’s known for giving 3D slots—exclusive games with graphics that appear to leap out of screens.
While it is famous for providing slots, Betsoft also supplies table games such as blackjack, baccarat, poker, Pai Gow, and roulette. Most of them are mobile-responsive, regardless of whether you use an iOS or Android device.
RTP Rates Might Vary
RTP—Return to Player—describes the average percentage of wagered money a game pays back to gamblers over time. A slot with a 96% RTP is designed to payout 96% of wagered money in the long haul.
Although slots are mandated to have an RTP of at least 80%, they pay back at a much higher rate. Of course, that varies from one game to another. But most online slots payback over 90% of players’ bets through wins.
With that in mind, always check a game’s payout rate before you play it. Choose games with high payout rates to increase your chances of winning. Read more about the Best RTP slots here.
What Makes a Good Game Provider?
There’s a reason why NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evolution Gaming are so popular with online casinos. Unlike some of their competitors, these companies set trends. They are innovative and quickly embrace anything that can help create attention-grabbing games. In other words, they all share these features of a good game provider.
- Innovation
Innovation has helped many small providers elevate into global brands. Take Big Time Gaming as an example. Although launched in 2011, it’s one of the biggest developers since it created the new breed of slots called Megaways.
- Quick Technology Adopter
Adopting technology quickly helps providers create more advanced slots and card games faster than their competitors. More importantly, it helps them develop games with better graphics, improved sound quality, and mobile responsiveness—what players want.
- Moving with Trends
Great providers are excellent at identifies trends in the casino scene. They then adapt them to create games that are up to date with current trends. A case in point is NetEnt, Playtech, and Microgaming, designing lots of games inspired by TV shows, video games, and sports.
- Risk-Taker
A good software provider takes risks if they can help shape up the next generation of casino games. Both Betsoft and NetEnt are known for their affinity for taking risks. The former risked 3D games, whereas the latter introduced Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest—both having features new to the world.
- Player-Centered
The best software providers create games with players in mind. That means they need to design entertaining, high-paying, and simple to play games. Of course, they also have to balance their games to give casinos an edge. However, their primary attention when designing games should be inspired by players.
Game Providers and Unique Features
As we mentioned previously, some game providers became famous for their games’ innovative features. Betsoft is popular because of its 3D slots. Big Time Gaming brought us Megaways slot, whereas NetEnt introduced sticky reels through Gonzo’s Quest.
Naturally, casino players are attracted to games with features that make games more entertaining. What’s more, they prefer features that help them win more or minimize losses through free spins.
Fortunately, casino software providers have repeatedly proved they are at the forefront of innovating game-changing features. The latest trend is to design games that support Virtual Reality. But only time will tell what more intriguing features providers will create in the future.
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