For many years, there has been a backbone of iGaming software companies that have confidently maintained leadership and served as models for others to emulate. Some prime examples include Microgaming, Play’n GO, NetEnt, Thunderkick, and Yggdrasil, which exclusively offer their customers top-tier online casino games with high-quality graphics, animation, and sound.
The dynamic and ever-evolving casino software development landscape is teeming with sub-niches and specialized areas of expertise. For example, some igaming companies, such as Evolution Gaming, Ezugi, Lucky Streak, and Authentic Gaming, have carved out a niche for themselves by providing cutting-edge, real dealer games for live online casinos. Meanwhile, other industry leaders, like Play’n Go, Quickspin, Big Time Gaming, Push Gaming, Betsoft, Yggdrasil, and Red Tiger Gaming, have made a name for themselves by creating immersive, feature-rich online casino slots.
The following section will delve deeper into the intricacies of each software provider that delivers real money games to online casinos in Europe. Hence, stay informed, stay ahead of the curve and take advantage of the opportunity to elevate your online gaming experience to the next level.
Microgaming is a pioneering and preeminent gambling software developer and supplier renowned for its unparalleled advancements in the igaming industry. They offer an extensive portfolio of over 850 games and support for 45 languages, catering to a diverse global audience. In 1994, Microgaming was the first company to develop casino software, introducing the revolutionary Viper client that seamlessly integrated the entire casino operation into a single, user-friendly interface. Today, their cutting-edge slots and table games can be found in virtually every reputable online casino throughout Europe, solidifying their position as a leading authority in the field.
NetEnt, a pioneering Swedish software developer in the realm of online gaming, has been a trailblazer since its inception in 1996. Today, it is owned by Evolution Gaming, a preeminent provider of live casino games for online casinos. With a workforce of over 1,100 dedicated individuals and offices situated in Gibraltar, New Jersey, Kyiv, Malta, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malta, Krakow, and Sofia, NetEnt’s reach is truly global. Their extensive portfolio of games boasts over 350 diverse slots and other captivating titles, showcasing the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence.
Established in 1980, Novomatic is a comprehensive gambling software provider with a global reach, boasting offices in 43 countries and an impressive workforce of 30 000 employees. With a projected turnover of EUR 1.7 billion by 2020, Novomatic AG stands as one of the world’s most prominent and successful gaming technology companies. The company’s unparalleled success is a testament to its unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence in the field of gambling software.
ThunderKick, widely acclaimed as the premier independent igaming company of its size, has gained a reputation for its small yet high-value portfolio of slot games, boasting approximately 150 releases to date. Headquartered in the bustling Swedish capital of Stockholm, the company’s commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a stellar reputation in the competitive world of online gaming. Its dedication to providing exceptional gaming experiences has cemented its position as one of the leaders in the industry.
Big Time Gaming, the company that revolutionized the igaming industry by introducing the revolutionary “Megaways Slots”, was founded in 2011 and has since grown to become the most renowned provider of Megaways slots online. Today, the company is a subsidiary of Evolution Gaming and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia. BTG’s pioneering contribution to the igaming industry is a testament to its commitment to innovation, quality, and excellence.
Since 2013, Yggdrasil Gaming has been a leading provider of superior solutions for EU-based online gambling operators. The company has earned a reputation for its inventive and original games, cutting-edge concepts, and unparalleled graphics, making it a respected name in the industry. Yggdrasil Gaming’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and quality has made it a top choice for European online gambling operators seeking to elevate their offerings and stand out in a competitive market.
Established in 1997 in Stockholm, Sweden, Play’n GO has established itself as a trailblazer in the igaming industry, particularly in the provision of high-quality slot machines for online casino sites in the EU. One of the first companies to utilize Java in the creation of mobile-compatible games, Play’n GO continues to set the standard in the industry. The company releases between 30-50 HTML5-based games annually, each of which boasts exceptional graphics, unparalleled quality, and immersive gameplay. Play’n GO’s unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence has solidified its position as an industry leader in the field of online casino slots.
Established in 2001, this British software company has made a name for itself in the world of online casino gaming. With a diverse portfolio of over 100 online casino slots games, many of which are inspired by popular movies and TV shows such as The Goonies and Top Cat, Blueprint Gaming has established itself as a leader in the field of themed slot games. Today, the company is a proud member of the renowned German gambling corporation, the Gauselmann Group. With its headquarters located in the quaint town of Newark, UK, Blueprint Gaming continues to push the boundaries of innovation and creativity in the world of online casino gaming.
Endorphina, a B2B software developer based in the Czech Republic with branch offices in Malta, specializes in providing a diverse array of modern online slots to some of the most well-known online casinos in Europe. The company, headquartered in Prague, usually releases about 12 games per year, each of which is designed to ensure a thrilling gaming experience for online users. With a focus on a commitment to delivering only the highest quality products, Endorphina has established itself as a respected online slot provider in the competitive online gambling world.
Established in 1973 and today headquartered at 1500 Bluegrass Lakes Parkway, USA, Scientific Games is a preeminent leader in the casino-entertainment industry. The company offers its customers a wide range of services, including lottery, instant win games, social gaming, online betting and gaming, and much more. With a reputation for innovation and excellence, Scientific Games continues to set the standard in the competitive world of casino entertainment, providing cutting-edge solutions to customers worldwide.
Nolimit City, founded by a team of industry veterans with over a decade of experience in the gambling industry, is a provider of extremely high volatility and superlative quality online slot games. Their commitment to excellence has allowed them to stay ahead of the competition and expand into new markets around the globe. Like other prominent igaming companies such as Big Time Gaming and NetEnt, Nolimit City is owned by Evolution Gaming. The company has a global presence with offices situated in India, Malta, and Sweden, demonstrating its commitment to providing top-notch services to online gambling sites worldwide.
ELK Studios, a relatively young but rapidly burgeoning igaming company founded in 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden, has made a name for itself by prioritizing quality over quantity. The company’s games are designed in-house by a dedicated team and are available in 18 languages, catering to a diverse global audience. Some of ELK Studios’ most popular slot game titles include Nitropolis, Zulu Gold, Cygnus, Poltava, Book of Toro, Bloopers, Electric Sam, Hidden, and DJ Wild, showcasing the company’s unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of online gaming.
Relax Gaming was founded in 2010 by Patrik Sterner and Jani Tekoniemi in Tallinn, Estonia, and provides gambling products such as Casino, Bingo, and Poker. Among their top titles are Temple Tumble, Money Train 2, Snake Arena, Hellcatraz, Ramses Revenge, and Roulette Nouveau, each of which is renowned for its exceptional gameplay and innovation. Relax Gaming’s commitment to providing a diverse and unparalleled gaming experience has solidified its status as a premier provider of gaming services today.
Hacksaw Gaming, a nascent online casino game provider established in 2018, specializes in the creation of online slots, scratch card games, and fixed prize games. Hacksaw Gaming, based in Malta, holds licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, and the Hellenic Gaming Commission in Greece, and currently offers over 80 titles across 18 regulated markets. Amongst Hacksaw Gaming’s most popular games are Outlaws Inc, Chaos Crew, Hand of Anubis, Buffalo Stack ‘N’ Sync, and Wanted Dead or a Wild, each of which showcases the company’s dedication to innovation, quality, and excellence in the field of online casino games.
If you’re looking for the best real dealer games to play at European live casinos, these top live casino software providers are worth considering. They are renowned for their commitment to innovation and quality, and their real dealer games are among the most advanced and immersive in the industry.
Evolution Gaming is one of the top providers of live online casino games. They supply advanced live casino solutions to the industry’s leading iGaming operators. Evolution Gaming also owns and operates several other brands such as NetEnt, Ezugi, Red Tiger, Big Time Gaming, DigiWheel, and Nolimit City.
Ezugi is a leading provider of desktop and mobile live casino games to online gambling operators worldwide. Their live casino games are available in multiple languages and offer a wide range of betting options. Ezugi also has a number of exclusive live dealer games such as Andar Bahar, 32 Cards, and Lucky 7.
Real Dealer Studios is a newer company that offers an innovative approach to live casino games. They collaborate with movie producers, directors, actors, and actresses to deliver a Hollywood-style cinematic experience for live casino players. Their real dealer games were showcased at ICE London 2020.
If you’re looking for a unique and innovative gaming experience, you might want to check out some of the emerging software developers and igaming studios that are making waves in the online casino industry. From bonus buy options and megaways to feature-rich games and unique gameplay mechanics, these new casino game providers offer a fresh take on traditional casino games.
Mancala Gaming is a Czech Republic-based iGaming software company that was established in 2019. They focus on creating unique and boundary-breaking games that stand out from the crowd.
Crazy Tooth Studio is a Nevada-based online and land-based slot development company founded in November 2011 by Ben Hoffman, an ex-International Game Technology (IGT) game designer. They specialize in creating unique and innovative slot games with a focus on engaging and entertaining gameplay mechanics.
If you’re a connoisseur of online casino games, you’re likely aware of the fact that certain casino sites may not always offer your preferred game. This is because various nations have divergent regulations regarding gambling, and game providers must acquire licensure from the appropriate regulatory authority in each country before making their games available. A plethora of popular casino game providers, such as Microgaming, NetEnt, and Play’n GO, among others, hold licensure in multiple jurisdictions, thus making their games accessible to a global audience.
Smaller igaming studios, conversely, may be constrained by limited access to global markets owing to their diminutive size and paucity of resources. In such instances, these firms typically forge alliances with larger igaming corporations that possess the necessary permits in the nations where they aspire to conduct their business. By adopting this strategy, the smaller studios are able to disseminate their games across a broader spectrum of markets and usually broaden their reach beyond their intrinsic capabilities.
Security and Trust
The pinnacle of casino game providers is a testament to their software’s reliability, credibility, and security. Additionally, the activities of companies engaged in the creation of online casino games are overseen by gambling regulatory bodies, such as:
Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC)
Belgium Gaming Commission (Kansspelcommissie)
Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ)
Dutch Gaming Authority (Kansspelautoriteit)
Gibraltar Gaming Commissioner (GGC)
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
Kahnawake Gaming Commission
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
Swedish Gaming Authority (Spelinspektionen)
UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
Oficiul National pentru Jocuri de Noroc (ONJN)
Fairness Testing
A reputable online casino software provider will possess all the requisite accreditations, and their games will be subject to frequent testing by one or more of the autonomous examination agencies (Test Houses) to confirm their fairness, randomness, and conformity with the regulatory standards (e.g. UKGC, MGA, etc.).
For example, UKGC approved Test Houses that provide high-quality iGaming testing, and assessment services include the following:
BMM Testlabs
eCOGRA Limited
Gaming Associates Europe Ltd
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
Global Lab Limited
Quinel Limited
Slovenian Institute of Quality and Metrology
Trisigma B.V.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top online casino software providers?
The leading software providers for online casinos are Microgaming, Novomatic, Playtech, Evolution Gaming, and Scientific Games.
What are the most popular online casino software providers?
Looking at the homepages of reputable online casinos throughout Europe, it becomes evident that the most popular game providers include Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, Yggdrasil, ThunderKick, Relax Gaming, Hacksaw Gaming, and Novomatic. Their games are highly sought-after by both casual and seasoned gamblers alike, making them a staple in the online gaming community.
Which software developer creates the most innovative online casino games?
Different developers offer varying degrees of ingenuity in their games, but we believe that Nolimit City stands out as the premier innovator in this field, boasting a robust portfolio of imaginative titles such as Deadwood, Punk Rocker, True Grit Redemption, El Paso Gunfight XNUDGE, San Quentin XWAYS, and numerous others.
Which software provider has the most volatile games?
Volatility, a crucial determinant in selecting the appropriate game, plays a paramount role in identifying the level of risk associated with a particular game. Nolimit City, in this case, is known for its exorbitantly high variance titles.
How do online casino software providers differ from one another?
Software providers tend to specialize in certain areas, such as offering high-quality graphics and animations, creating smooth gameplay experiences, providing innovative features, or focusing on particular genres of casino games. Some developers focus more on offering great graphics and immersive sound effects, while others focus on creating games with a high payout potential but a high variance simultaneously.
How do online casino software providers ensure that their games are fair?
Before games are available to the public, they get tested by independent companies to ensure that they comply with the regulations and are fair to players.
Where do online casino software providers get their licenses?
Online casino software providers acquire licensing from various jurisdictions such as the Malta Gaming Authority, Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission and often from local gambling authorities (ONJN, UKGC, etc.)
What is Random Number Generator (RNG)?
Random Number Generator is a computer-based algorithm that generates a sequence of numbers or symbols randomly when commanded by the game software. RNGs are used to determine the outcome of each spin on an online slot machine or each round in table games like blackjack, roulette etc., ensuring fairness for all players. It ensures fair gameplay and helps make sure that no one can tamper with the results.
