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

Written By Scott Lawson Published on 07.02.2019 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.

• 1. NetEnt Widely considered one of the best casino software developers in the world, NetEnt is responsible for titles such as Gonzo’s Quest, Jack and the Beanstalk and Starburst. Not content to stop pushing the boundaries with 3D slot games however, the company also hosts world-class live dealer casino games. PLAY NETENT GAMES
• 2. Quickspin Quickspin has been creating award-winning slot games such as Big Bad Wolf, Sakura Fortune and Big Bot Crew, since 2011. In addition to excellent slots, the Swedish developer has created many accompanying tools that benefit casinos and players alike under the umbrella of Quickspin Promote. PLAY QUICKSPIN GAMES
• 3. Yggdrasil Yggdrasil is more than just a game developer. The 6-year-old company has become a shaping force in the industry with its creation of the tools iSENSE, BOOST and BRAG. It is perhaps best-known for its innovative title, Sonya Blackjack, which sees the classic table game hosted by a motion capture-animated croupier. PLAY YGGDRASIL GAMES
• 4. Play’n GO Something of a jack of all trades, Play’n GO has created some of the most popular online slot games such as Book of Dead, in addition to an enormous range of table, video poker, bingo and scratch card titles. The Swedish developer retains user interest with themes ranging from Henry VII’s wives to Hip hop. PLAY PLAY’N GO GAMES
• 5. Microgaming Microgaming is a titan in the casino gaming industry, with over 500 games to its name. The company has been around since 1994 and the popularity and re-playability, combined with regular new releases across multiple game categories, suggest it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. PLAY MICROGAMING GAMES
• 6 NextGen NextGen has been producing quality titles for the past 20 years. The question at the company’s core is “What makes a great game?” and its dedication to making casino games the best they can be shows. Since being acquired by Scientific Games in 2017, this plucky Australian developer has been given a well-deserved larger audience. PLAY NEXTGEN GAMES
• 7. Realistic Games Realistic Games was founded in 2002 and spent the better part of a decade focusing its energy on creating high-class roulette and blackjack products. In 2011 the developer launched its own remote games server, ReGal, which skyrocketed the company into the ranks of gambling industry leaders. PLAY REALISTIC GAMES
• 8. ELK Studios Multi award-winning ELK Studios was created in Stockholm in 2012. The slot developer focuses on mobile-first, bonus features and excellent graphics while giving players the option to experiment with various betting strategies. Popular interactive titles include Wild Toro, Taco Brothers and Wild Seas and new titles are released regularly. PLAY ELK GAMES
• 9. iSoftBet When it comes to variety in slot development, iSoftBet is the name to know. This London-based developer creates classic, unconventional, jackpot, video and 3D slots to appeal to all players. With a focus on mobile compatibility and inventive game themes, iSoftBet is certainly worth a second look. PLAY ISOFTBET GAMES
• 10. Big Time Gaming Australian powerhouse, Big Time Gaming, has been crafting exciting games since 1996 and is the developer behind one of the internet’s most beloved slots, Bonanza. One of the company’s stand-out creations is the Megaways feature, which randomly modifies the symbols which appear across a slot’s reels with each spin. PLAY BIG TIME GAMES
• 11. Pragmatic Play Launched in 2015, Pragmatic Play may be new on the scene, but its stellar output has marked the developer as a force to be reckoned with. Best-known for its mobile first approach to game development, Pragmatic Play took home the EGR award for Slot Provision in 2018. PLAY PRAGMATIC GAMES
• 12. Playtech Playtech has been creating some of the best slot, jackpot, table and live dealer games in the industry since the late 90’s. The Isle of Man based developer has a great range of licenced tv and film slots including Monty Python’s Spamalot and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. PLAY PLAYTECH GAMES
• 13. Thunderkick Founded in 2012, Thunderkick is the brainchild of a team of former NetEnt developers. Its trademark are its colourful, fun characters and smooth gameplay, which comes courtesy of the company’s Remote Gaming Server (RGS). Though still young, the developer has already attracted much acclaim, with its slot Flame Busters taking home the 2017 Videoslots award for Best Mobile Game. PLAY THUNDERKICK GAMES
• 14. Push Gaming Founded in 2010, Push Gaming became one of the first casino game developers to truly focus on the mobile gaming market. In recent years the company has been picking up the pace with its output, releasing five games in the first half of 2018 alone. PLAY PUSH GAMES
• 15. Novomatic Though Novomatic has been developing slot games since the 80’s, its offering is decidedly fresh. Creating real-life slot machines as well as online equivalents has given the developer a real understanding of what players want – and that is film-themed games and the Book of Ra series! PLAY NOVOMATIC GAMES
• 16. Genesis Gaming With offices dotted across Asia and North America, Genesis Gaming is a developer set to conquer the gaming world. Though founded just over a decade ago, the company only received its UK licencing in 2015. It is perhaps most notable for its distinctive animation style, with Attack of the Zombies and Robyn serving as stand-out titles. PLAY GENESIS GAMES
• 17. Scientific Games Based in the casino capital of Las Vegas, Nevada, Scientific Games is one of the biggest and most powerful companies in the gaming industry. The developer can trace its roots back as far as 1932, when it was just a humble pinball game company. To date, it has acquired eight software developers which now operate under the SG umbrella. PLAY SCIENTIFIC GAMES
• 18. IGT IGT was launched in 1975 and as such has released an enormous number of slot and table games for both land-based and online casinos. The developer is perhaps most famous for creating the first ever progressive jackpot slot named Megabucks in 1986 which have seen players win millions over the years. PLAY IGT GAMES
• 19. Betsoft Betsoft has made a name for itself as one of the most innovative and creative developers in the industry, crafting 3D casino games that push the boundaries of the medium. The company’s excellence has been awarded multiple times, most notably in 2018 when it received the MIGEA award for Best Gaming Casino Supplier of the Year. PLAY BETSOFT GAMES
• 20. Felt FELT is a company that stays true to the classics. Everything is there for most players. We especially enjoy and can recommend their selection of blackjack games. FELT is maybe not the most known player in the industry. But that doesn’t mean they are not for you! PLAY FELT GAMES
• 21. Konami A Japanese game company at the forefront of innovation? Not the first time you’ve heard this. And won’t be the last. In the casino niche, Konami is a name that will soon be sung by many admirers. Let’s have a look at them together. PLAY KONAMI GAMES
• 22. Novoline Novoline is one of the most iconic land-based software providers. If you’ve ever been to a traditional casino, you’ve played one of their games. And online? Online they are also amongst the top software providers in the world! PLAY NOVOLINE GAMES
• 23. BGaming Play all your favourite casino games including slots, blackjack, roulette and poker variants at the leading BGaming casinos, laid out for you in an expert listing. Learn all about the developer’s artistic suite of productions in this comprehensive review, including the hottest bonuses and mobile gaming options. PLAY BGAMING GAMES
• 24. STHLMGGAMING One of the newest slot developers to hit the scene, STHLMGAMING has already made quite a name for itself thanks to its fast partnerships with many leading online casinos. Though its portfolio is still small, the quality of the games speaks for themselves. PLAY STHLMGAMING GAMES
• 25. SlotVision One of the newest software developers on the market, SlotVision.net brings players high-quality, high-definition slot games that incorporate some of the most exciting gameplay features. With sticky wilds, easily triggered free spins and engaging characters and music, the firm is bound to grow more and more popular. PLAY SlotVision GAMES
• 26. Mascot Gaming Enjoy the games from this up-and-coming software developer at the leading casinos in unregulated markets. Find out more about the quirky slot titles and suave table games in this expert review, covering all the information you need to know in order to safely enjoy the titles online. PLAY MASCOT GAMING TITLES
• 27. Gluck Casinos From fun slot games that aren’t afraid to stand apart from the competition, to gambling arcade versions of classic games like snakes and ladders, Gluck brings the modern casino player new and exciting options to try out. Let go of the past, leave classic slots behind and you might just end up being g-lucky!PLAY GLUCK GAMES
• 28. Nolimit City Casinos Nolimit City games are a unique and exciting addition to the online casino industry. Find bespoke creations at your favorite online casinos and check out our recommendations for the top operators in our full guide to the software developer’s products. There’s also a free demo for you to try out, so enjoy it here.PLAY NOLIMIT CITY GAMES
• 29. 4ThePlayer One of the newest and brightest developers on the market, 4ThePlayer has already shown itself to be capable of making attractive slot games that will keep players equally dazzled and engaged. With lots of new projects and products already promised by the firm, this is a company to keep an eye on!PLAY 4ThePlayer GAMES
• 30. Booongo A fresh face on the casino scene, delivering high quality slots with stunning visuals, competitive RTPs and varied themes. Find free spin rounds and massive multipliers in many of the games; this is definitely a company worthy of its place at any online casino site.PLAY BOOONGO GAMES
• 31. BF Games Play the amazing BF Games online casino developments at these leading casinos, with licenses for regulated and unregulated markets alike. Find your favorite slots among the latest creations and choose an awesome bonus to go along with your new player account. PLAY BF GAMES TITLES
• 32. Ainsworth Found in 1995 and committed to creating high-quality gaming solutions, Ainsworth is currently licensed in 50 countries. Being one of the most active in the industry developers, Ainsworth dishes out new games regularly while focusing heavily on the jackpot slots genre.PLAY Ainsworth TITLES
• 33. Core Gaming CORE Gaming stands at the forefront of HTML5-based mobile gaming. Its games can be found in prestigious online casinos such as Coral, Gala Casino, William Hill and Betfair. CORE Gaming prioritizes the creation of slots above anything else.PLAY CORE GAMING TITLES
• 34. GameArt GameArt is one of the up-and-coming gaming developers. Founded in 2013, the company has, ever since, been dedicated to the creation of video slots, VLT slots, and jackpot games. It’s know-how and traditions in the industry make a for world-class, HTML5-compatible mobile casino platform which is rapidly gaining popularity. PLAY GAMEART TITLES
• 35. Nektan Nektan becomes a fully functional mobile gaming platform in April 2014 and before long receives the seal of approval of the UK Gambling Commission. The company rolls out 20+ titles a month in the following categories: slots, scratch, keno, and table games while having more than 500 games in its portfolio already.PLAY NEKTAN TITLES
• 36. NeoGames NeoGames is known for being a leading iLottery and remote casino software provider. The company is a member of several lottery industry associations and has been certified by more than a dozen regulatory bodies. Its game portfolio includes lottery, slots, roulette, progressive jackpots, blackjack, and poker.PLAY NEOGAMES TITLES
• 37. ReelPlay If you’re looking for a fresh face in the software industry, with games that are full of interesting and fun features, then ReelPlay might be the one for you. Each slot game has its own approach to making things more exciting, with multipliers, extra reels, expanding wilds and big wins characterizing the portfolio.PLAY REELPLAY Games
• 38. 2 by 2 Gaming Providing high quality slots to both online and land-based casinos, this young developer has made a name for itself in the industry thanks to its unique gameplay mechanics and flawless graphics. With 125 years of experience among its staff, you can expect great things from this studio.PLAY 2 by 2 Gaming Games
• 39. Gamesys Gamesys is famed for its bingo sites as well as for creating exciting slot games. Ranging from fantasy-themed epics to licensed and branded slots, there is something there for most everybody. Even if spinning the reels isn’t your thing, you can find fun here, with a few great table games on offer. PLAY GAMESYS GAMES
• 40. Playson With slots covering all manner of themes from Ancient Egypt through Chicago speakeasies to the battlefields of the mythic Norse gods, Playson brings players exciting and fresh approaches to slot games. Each title offers up something a little different, with inventive and innovative approaches to wilds and scatters that will keep you on your toes. PLAY Playson GAMES
• 41. Red Tiger Gaming This unstoppable powerhouse of a studio is quick on the draw when it comes to new titles, and pushes the boundaries of slot mechanics like no other developer around today. A must for fans of slots who want to try something fresh and unique. PLAY RED TIGER GAMES
• 42. Netgame Hailing from the capital of the Ukraine, Netgame is currently trying to break into the global online casino scene. Backing up its ambition with beautiful artwork and impressive animation, it won’t be long until this is a household name. Keep an eye open for exciting slots packed with bonus features and jackpots. PLAY Netgame GAMES
• 43. Dragonfish As a part of the 888 Holdings group, Dragonfish wears some of the biggest trousers in the online casino software development scene. Find out how it holds its own against the other industry powerhouses with a selection of slots, table and card games and jackpots. PLAY Dragonfish GAMES
• 44. Lightning Box Bringing the technological prowess of Australia’s casino industry to the fore, Lightning Box has already developed over 60 different slots with a ‘mathematical approach’. To find out what this means and select a casino for yourself, click the link! PLAY Lightning Box GAMES
• 45. Evolution Evolution is the market leader for live casinos and produces dozens of real dealer products, which can be found at many of the top online sites. The quality of the streams, the professionalism of the dealers and the variety of gameplay setups combine to make an unbeatable selection of high-end games. PLAY Evolution GAMES
• 46. Wazdan Wazdan is among the leading iGaming software providers in the world. It is a home of some cutting-age slot games, which makes the company one of the best. Wazdan has been shortlisted by many websites and casinos as some of the greatest suppliers of casino games. Besides, it works with prominent gaming platforms, providing incredible gaming experience to thousands of players. PLAY Wazdan GAMES
• 47. Northern Lights Northern Lights is a gaming provider company that was established in the UK in the beginning of 2017. It is with a huge experience in the iGaming market because of the great professionals working there. Northern Lights are producing some of the best casino games, which can be found on various casino sites. PLAY Northern Lights GAMES
• 48. InTouch Games An award winning, UK-based software provider with a growing selection of unique casino games titles, exclusive online casino sites, competitive welcome bonus and fantastic mobile compatibility for all devices. This is a particular good software developer for slots players looking for a fresh take on the classic formula. PLAY INTOUCH GAMES
• 49. Habanero Prolific gaming studio known for its 3D imagery and fascinating gameplay mixed with unique slot features. A rising star of the online world. PLAY HABANERO GAMES
• 50. 1×2 Gaming Rich gaming catalogue and a very long history in providing online slot and casino games based on the super creations of popular movies and TV series. PLAY 1×2 Gaming GAMES
• 51. Barcrest The most reliable online casinos are using the services of Barcrest. There are 200+ casino games you can play as the vast majority of them are the online slots. PLAY Barcrest GAMES
• 52. Bla Bla Bla Studios For some of you, Bla Bla Bla Studios is an unknown software provider, but it is a very big company, which creates thousands of online slots. PLAY Bla Bla Bla Studios GAMES
• 53. Wild Streak Gaming Wild Streak Gaming become popular in 2022 when a multi-million-dollar deal was broken, because of the exceptionally good online casino games, the provider offers. PLAY Wild Streak Gaming GAMES
• 54. Quickfire As part of the Microgaming company, Quickfire has become one of the leading software provider brands in the world, supplying the casinos with quality titles. PLAY Quickfire GAMES
• 55. Blueprint Gaming Indeed there are quite a lot popular online casino slots provided by Blueprint Gaming. They are all quality and very famous among the players. PLAY Blueprint Gaming GAMES
• 56. Bally Indeed there are quite a lot popular online casino slots provided by Blueprint Gaming. They are all quality and very famous among the players. PLAY Bally GAMES
• 57. Kalamba Games Kalamba Games produces dynamic, eye-catching slots titles with unique gameplay elements and excellent RTPs. While not as well established as other software developers, this company shows a lot of potential and continues to produce multiple high quality slots titles year after year. PLAY Kalamba Games

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.

The best casino software developers have:

• A great variety of games of excellent quality, including game categories and themes.
• These games should have high RTP rates and be audited for fairness by a third party company.
• The games should be mobile-optimised for playing on the go from your preferred device.

Variety & Quality of Games

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

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

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.

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 [email protected] and I will get back to you as soon as possible.