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How the Software Provider Affects the Playing Experience?

Any review of an online casino will mention if a site works with the best casino game providers. The reason is simple – this segment makes or breaks the entire experience. Games coming from trusted companies run smoothly and have no glitches. They also work on various devices plus guarantee fairness and safety.

Moreover, the game and theme versatility depends on the online casino software providers that work with the operator.

Another aspect that the software for online casinos impacts the player experience is the geographical restrictions. Namely, some providers don't work in some countries.

Different Types of Casino Game Providers

Currently, more than 400 software studios are out there and counting, each designing games for online casinos worldwide. With that much competition on the market, developing memorable and unique games is important. Here are some of the ways game providers differ from one another:

Genre

Different game providers focus on different aspects of the games or, more specifically, specialise in certain genres. The vast majority of iGaming studios focus on online slots, including classic slots and video poker. Other game providers exclusively release table games such as roulette, baccarat, blackjack, or casino poker. 

A few studios have called it their calling to provide players with a unique live casino experience. There’s also a tiny niche for games like bingo, scratch cards, and virtual sports.

Of course, some ambitious game providers try to offer the full spectrum of games.

Features

The features of each game contribute a lot to its perceived uniqueness among players. This is where the best game casino game providers manage to set themselves apart from the competition.

The best examples of this are slot machines. There are already several thousand titles on the market, which follow the same basic principles but add a little twist. The top online casino game providers follow the same basic principles but add a twist to make their games stand out.

Microgaming will always be known for its record-breaking progressive jackpots, where you can win millions in a single spin.

NetEnt rose to fame with Gonzo’s Quest and the game’s cascading symbols, also known as the Avalanche feature.

Another example would be Big Time Gaming which players often associate with their famous Megaways features first introduced in Bonanza Megaways.

Of course, several other features would be worth mentioning, but the list is too long to go too much into the details. 

Bonuses

Bonus rounds could be seen as a feature and included above, but they are often so unique that they redefine the character of a casino game entirely. Some game developers emphasise their efforts to create an unforgettable gaming experience with the help of innovative bonus rounds. 

For example, Rocky looks like a regular slot machine at first, but in the bonus round, you can step into the ring with Apollo Creed, Ivan Drago, or Clubber Lang. The Aliens slot turns itself into a first-person shooter during the bonus round, and in Jurassic Park, you can hunt a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

So, as you can see, there is plenty of innovation in bonus rounds.

Design

Gambling software providers greatly differ in their design choices, from cartoony or fantastic to hyper-realistic and everything in between.

Often the game designers use a particular art style consistently throughout their games, or at least most of them. As such, if you fall in love with the design of one game, chances are that you will enjoy the appearance of the other titles in the provider’s roster just as much. Be sure to check out your favourite casino games software for more.

Limits

Another area where game suppliers set themselves apart is the minimum and maximum betting limits. Some provide slots and table games that can be played for nickels and dimes, whereas others want to cater more towards the high rollers and VIP players with greatly increased minimum bet sizes and higher table limits. 

It is also worth mentioning that some online gambling software providers create more volatile games than others. Here, you have to ask yourself whether you prefer smaller, more reliable wins or if you want to take the risk to land a big win in a game that only gives up its prizes every once in a while.

Licensing

Licensing and certification always play a huge role in the iGaming world, be it for online casinos or casino software providers. Regulated markets like the UK demand that suppliers hold B2B licensing to offer their games to consumers from those countries and states.

So, if the necessary permits aren't obtained, games from that casino games company cannot be played by UK players. That's how licensing often makes some studios popular in some markets.

The UK's Best Casino Game Providers

The list of game providers is probably just as big as the one for different UK online casinos; actually, that’s not quite true, but it’s certainly close!

Choosing the best one often comes down to personal taste, so it’s hard to crown one of them as the best option that will suit every type of player out there. 

However, we can safely say that some of the best slot game providers have stood the test of time, as their classics and new creations constantly show up in casinos’ top lists. Here, then, is a quick overview of a small selection of the most notable UK game providers…

Microgaming

Microgaming is a pioneer in the development of UK online casino solutions. It started its operations in 1994, and in its subsequent rise to fame, it has created an entertainment repertoire featuring more than 1,000 top-class casino games.

For this reason, every prestigious online casino tries to provide its players with the best games carrying the Microgaming logo. Its products stand out for the quality of the graphics, progressive jackpots, and unique titles.

It should be noted that Microgaming is particularly famous for its slots, online roulette, and online blackjack. Furthermore, it is a very reliable provider because all its games are certified by eCOGRA, guaranteeing that they are fully tested, honest, balanced, random, and fair.

NetEnt 

Net Entertainment (NetEnt) is a popular and well-known online casino game developer with over 20 years of experience, offering more than 200 award-winning titles.

It doesn’t come as a surprise that NetEnt’s slots are incredibly popular and, therefore, can be found in almost every well-sorted online casino in the UK. The Swedish company has grown its portfolio and branched into other genres, such as table and live dealer games. In 2020, NetEnt was acquired by the industry giant Evolution. 

Evolution

Evolution is a leading live casino game provider that has revolutionised the online casino industry with its innovative products. Currently, this internationally renowned developer has more than 300 tables with live dealers broadcasting from several countries and in many languages.

It is also the inventor of innovative game show games, such as Football Studio, Monopoly Live, Dream Catcher, and Deal or No Deal Live. Evolution Gaming is the number one live casino provider, and it is not hard to see why. 

Playtech

No repertoire of online casino games would be complete without the entertainment provided by Playtech. The online casino software platform has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and hundreds of employees and is presently based in roughly 20 countries all across the globe.

It is worth mentioning that Playtech covers all casino solutions, such as slot machines, live dealer games, table games, and sports betting.

It is no coincidence that Playtech has been awarded several trophies for its great work. Its entertainment library is made up of more than 700 games, which are fully adapted to desktop PCs and mobile devices. 

IGT

IGT provider from the UK is one of the most important casino game and slot providers on an international scale. Its games can be found at almost every online casino in the UK and are beloved by players worldwide.

If you like TV series, this provider will surprise you with reels full of multipliers, free spins, spectacular bonus stages, good graphics, quality animations, and great prizes. The provider is incredibly adaptive and always impresses with exciting new features and gameplay ideas. 

Thunderkick

You will love Thunderkick’s fun online slots for lots of reasons. They are full of free spins and bonus rounds, highly impressive graphics, and their themes are wildly original.

The games from this Swedish company have come to the best online casinos and are here to stay. Players especially like the high payouts on offer from some of its games.

In 1429 Uncharted Seas, the RTP is more than 98.6%, which is amongst the highest payouts in the industry. Because of this, it is common to find it excluded from wagering requirements, which shows just how good that RTP is!

Nolimit City

Nolimit City is a leading supplier of innovative and engaging gaming solutions and services. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, but also in Malta, this gambling software provider has been providing cutting-edge casino games to operators in the UK since 2018.

Nolimit City takes pride in its excellent team, which includes some of the most experienced professionals in the gaming industry who have developed top titles like Book of Shadows, Deadwood xNudge, and San Quentin xWays.

ELK Studios

ELK Studios is an independent game provider that specialises in creating innovative, quality slots for players of all levels. The company was founded in 2013 by experienced entrepreneurs and developers who wanted to bring something new and exciting to the world of iGaming.

Their mission is to create unique experiences for players with their wide selection of high-quality games. Their leading releases are the Nitropolis slot series, Platooners, and Wild Toro.

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play is an industry-leading provider of multi-product content in the gaming world. With a focus on regulated markets, their portfolio of offerings includes over 250 innovative and immersive slot titles, live casino solutions, various table games and bingo products.

They have created some of the most popular and widely played slots in the UK, including Sweet Bonanza, Gates of Olympus, and Release the Kraken. This company has also joined the live dealer segment and is now one of the leading live casino game providers as well.

Yggdrasil Gaming

Yggdrasil Gaming is an industry-leading Swedish iGaming provider, boasting a portfolio of diverse titles that span across all genres. Founded in 2013, the company's mission is to create content that is both entertaining and innovative, offering players a unique gaming experience.

Yggdrasil has become one of the best online casino game software suppliers thanks to games like Vikings Go Berzerk, Holmes and the Stolen Stones, and Joker Millions.

Push Gaming

Push Gaming is a UK game provider that has quickly become world-renowned for its innovative approach to slots and other casino games. Founded in 2010, they have developed over 30 online slots, with a focus on creating products that are compatible across all devices and platforms, from desktop to mobile.

As one of the leading casino software companies, the brand boasts many popular releases, including Razor Shark, Retro Tapes, and Jammin' Jars.

Red Tiger

Red Tiger Gaming is an online gaming provider offering a full suite of exciting and engaging slots and casino games. With its innovative approach to game design, Red Tiger Gaming creates games that capture the imagination of players, who are then quickly drawn into the immersive gaming experience.

The games feature vibrant graphics and animation, high-quality sound effects, and unique features. Crystal Mirror, Primate King, and Chinese Treasures are among the company's top releases.

Play'n GO

There's no list of the top 10 best online casino game providers without Play'n GO. This is an international gaming software development company which specializes in the production of high-quality online and mobile casino games.

Founded in 2005, this Swedish-based company has grown to become one of the leading providers of gaming solutions worldwide.

Their comprehensive suite includes more than 200 desktop and mobile games and boasts attractive titles like Book of Dead, Reactoonz, and Fire Joker.

How We Rate Software Providers

We've listed the best casino game manufacturers on this page. Yet, if you're new to the iGaming concept, you may need more information about how we decided which brands deserve mention. Below, we're explaining the basic evaluation criteria of the best casino software companies and why they matter.

Game Variety

Game Variety

We always appreciate a solid game variety because that ensures players can choose among different games, themes, and features.

RTP Rates and Transparency

RTP Rates and Transparency

Casino game and slot gaming companies must have fair RTP rates and be transparent about them rather than hiding such info.

Certification

Certification

Seals of approval from independent auditors like eCOGRA and GLI are always a good sign that the games from specific game providers are fair and regularly tested.

Innovative Features

Innovative Features

We always give extra credit to casino game providers that invest in innovative and creative game mechanics.

Network Promos and Jackpots

Network Promos and Jackpots

We love when suppliers go the extra mile and ensure engaging experiences for their consumers by launching network campaigns, progressive jackpots, etc.

Availability

Availability

It's always positive when a brand has many licenses and, therefore, it's widely available to players from various jurisdictions.

Mobile Readiness

Mobile Readiness

Casino and online slot providers whose products work smoothly on various devices always get better rankings.

Can You Hack Casino Software?

The simple answer to the question 'Can you hack casino software?' is yes, it is possible to hack casino software.

However, it is important to understand that hacking into a casino's systems and software requires an experienced hacker with a highly sophisticated set of skills. It would be virtually impossible for the average person to successfully attempt such a feat.

Moreover, both online casino game providers and casinos have safety measures and mechanisms in place. In case of foul play, they never pay out any winnings.

Do Players Need to Download Online Casino Software?

Depending on the casino, the software might be available for download or play directly through their website. Many online casino software suppliers have switched their operations to browser-play only. Players seem to prefer this way.

However, some provide both options, like RTG, for example. Its games are often available at exclusive RTG gambling sites that will let you download the platform or play instantly.

What Are Game Aggregators?

Typically, companies work individually to bring players a solid range of games. For a casino to work with one such company, it would need appropriate agreements. Then, it would have to do the same with any other game developer, which often takes time and even more money.

Well, game aggregators have already done the hard work by striking content deals with various casino game providers. When a gambling operator works with an aggregator, it gets thousands of games from various brands from a single partner.

Andreas Schmidt
Andreas Schmidt
Last Update: 15 Dec 2023
Andreas is our go-to guy for anything related to poker or in-depth guides. He's not only a former professional poker player but he's also been working within the iGaming industry itself since 2014. Casino, poker and sports betting are his main areas of expertise, in addition to anything and everything related to payment processes at online casinos.