Casino Game Providers
Casino game providers design, develop and supply the games you find at both online and land-based casinos. They’re the technology behind the games, often called game developers or software providers.
Many players assume casinos create their own games, but that’s rarely the case. Most online casinos license games from external developers, except for a few exclusive titles or custom features.
Game providers rent their titles to approved casinos, choosing partners based on licensing and other requirements. Some major providers offer full software solutions, while others operate within networks that supply fixed game libraries. This is why some casinos have identical game selections, while others differ based on their partnerships.
Casinos pay fees to game providers to offer their games, often through licensing costs and a share of game revenue. This is how software companies in the industry generate their income.
Let’s have a look at the best game providers in the industry!
Written by Robert Cohen
Fact-checked by Øystein Winje
The Best Online Casino Game Providers
With the growing popularity of online gambling in recent years, a lot of casino game providers focusing on online gambling have set up shop. And while there are some industry-leading names that provide some of the classic player favourites, there are also newcomers releasing great games. Here are, in our opinion, the very best online casino software providers currently worth checking out:
1. NetEnt
NetEnt is a game provider that was founded way back in 1996. Ever since its inception, NetEnt has been a pioneer in the casino game industry, and today it is one of the most well-known game providers around, with more than 200 games on offer.
When it comes to specific games, the company might be best known for its slots such as Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest. However, the provider also has some table games and live dealer games to try out.
NetEnt is today part of a large network of casino software companies as it bought Red Tiger in 2019 and then got acquired by Evolution Gaming.
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2. Microgaming
Microgaming is a casino game provider based in the Isle of Man. The software company was founded in 1994 and claims to have developed the world’s first online casino software back then.
After almost 30 years in the industry, Microgaming has an impressive portfolio with over 1,500 casino games developed. Among them, we find player favourites such as the millionaire maker Mega Moolah and other jackpot slots.
New games are still developed every month, alongside new concepts such as the WowPot! progressive jackpot system. In other words, Microgaming keeps on innovating.
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3. Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil Gaming is a newer online casino software developer that was founded in 2013. The company focuses heavily on innovation, with new concepts and twists being added to classic games.
Yggdrasil might be best known for slots such as Joker Millions and Vikings Go to Hell. But the provider has also developed table games, including various versions of virtual roulette. In total, the portfolio boasts more than 160 offered games, available at close to 600 brands online.
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4. Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming is a game software company focusing specifically on live casino games. The company was founded in 2006 and has grown immensely since its inception. The company has acquired many other studios along the way and is today truly a force to be reckoned with.
When it comes to original titles, Evolution Gaming offers hundreds of live dealer games. This includes many versions of classics such as roulette and blackjack, but also unique live games such as game show titles and live slot games. The game provider is simply known as the best live dealer game developer around.
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5. Pragmatic Play
A newer casino game provider worth checking out is Pragmatic Play. The company was founded in 2015 and is therefore the newest one on the list. At the same time, it is one of the most diverse and fast-paced gambling software providers around.
This software provider gives players the best of both worlds with a focus on both slots and live dealer games, as well as bingo and more. It also offers some innovative player perks and bonuses, such as the unique Drops & Wins concept.
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6. Relax Gaming
Relax Gaming, or simply Relax, develops software within the three main categories: slots, poker and bingo. The company was founded in 2010 with the ambition of becoming a leading technical provider of high-quality gaming solutions.
Judging from the success so far, we can assume that this goal has been met. Popular titles from the game provider include Temple Tumble and Money Train, and the company’s bingo and poker software can often be found at UK casinos.
In addition to their own developments, the game provider offers so-called Powered by Relax studio partnerships. Notable partners here include Quickspin, Nolimit City, Playson and BTG.
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7. Playtech
A name we can’t help but mention when talking about casino game providers is Playtech. This company has been around since 1999 and is the only one on the list that develops software for both online and land-based casinos.
Online, you can enjoy Playtech technology in the form of slots, table games, poker, bingo rooms and more. The company is simply an all-rounder with lots to offer both in terms of quantity and quality.
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8. Play’n GO
Play’n GO is a Swedish game provider known for its creative and engaging casino games. The company has earned a solid reputation through its unique approach to slot design, with hits like Book of Dead and Reactoonz becoming instant favourites among players.
Focused on delivering a superior mobile gaming experience and innovative features, Play’n GO continues to set trends in the industry. Their growing portfolio blends classic gameplay with modern twists, ensuring there’s always something fresh to try.
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What Makes a Casino Game Provider Great?
Above, we have listed some of our favourite casino game providers. So what makes them stick out from the rest of the bunch?
We believe that what makes some game developers more popular than others is a combination of innovation, high-quality designs, and safe gameplay.
Just like online casinos, online casino game provider companies are also licensed and regulated. This is to ensure player safety and fairness of the games.
All players want to ensure that their money is safe and that there is a fair chance of winning real money when playing casino games. Although the games should feel thrilling, they should always be 100% safe and fair. Proper regulations help ensure this.
While safety is of utmost importance, it should be a given. So what players really care about are fun features and cool designs that keep the fun going.
With so many casino games available, the best game providers need to ensure that their games stand out from the crowd and offer something unique to the player. That is why many of us also favour software providers that go the extra mile to offer new concepts, grand promotions or similar.
The Best Slot Developers
When it comes to online slots, there are some games that most casinos offer in their game selection. This includes free-spin favourite Starburst, the unique Gonzo’s Quest and million-maker Mega Fortune. These games are all developed and designed by NetEnt.
Another slot favourite is the record-breaking Mega Moolah from Microgaming. Both of these slot providers are fan favourites, offering grand slots and other games with new releases every month. Their popularity has also resulted in the release of franchise slots such as NetEnt’s Vikings (based on the TV show Vikings).
NetEnt and Microgaming are definitely considered two of the best slot game developers around. But there are also many other companies focusing on the development of online slots specifically. In addition to the seven providers listed above, we recommend that you try some different studios to see if you find a favourite from the lesser-known options.
As new slot developers pop up all the time and players crave new, innovative solutions, new games are released very frequently. The newest slots will come with unique designs and features to stand out in the big selection already available.
The Best Live Casino Software
Table games and live casino games, of course, also come from casino software providers, designing machine-generated games or live casinos. And when it comes to live casino software, no one is better than Evolution Gaming.
Compared to online slots that are designed and produced to be played as an RNG-generated video game, live casino games are different in the sense that they are live and real. Therefore, these games combine the best of both worlds by offering live dealers and live action, broadcast and streamed live from actual game studios.
There is still intricate game software needed in live games, as the gameplay has many virtual aspects, even though there are live dealers dealing the actual cards or spinning the roulette wheel.
Results, payouts and more need to be connected to the live action and sorted automatically, which makes this type of casino software a tricky one to perfect. But Evolution Gaming and some other providers have seemed to get it just right.
The Latest Casino Software Technology
To offer something new and exciting, casino game providers need to keep evolving and think of new solutions that will entice players. This results in new trends in technology as new innovations are developed and get traction.
While some of the most popular slot games are classics such as Starburst and Mega Moolah, many players prefer brand-new games due to their exciting features and unique concepts.
Things are constantly changing, so it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what can be expected, but here are some things that are currently trending when it comes to the development of new casino games.
Mobile-Friendly Games
More and more players are accessing their casino account from a mobile device. It is not enough for the casino websites to be mobile-friendly; the casino gaming software needs to be optimised for mobile screens too. Using HTML5 technology, modern software providers ensure their games can be played from any device or screen size.
Live, 3D and VR Games
When playing at an online casino, you want the casino action to feel as real as possible – without having to actually visit a land-based establishment. With live casino dealers, 3D games and even VR games, you get the best of both worlds. No need to visit a land-based casino to play as you can feel the live action from the comfort of your home.
Megaways™ and Megaclusters™
One final, exciting technology newly developed is that of Megaways™ and Megaclusters™ slots. These are online slot games with a unique gameplay, offering a unique way of creating symbols and paylines. The software used is developed by Big Time Gaming but has also been licensed for other casino game providers to make use of.
Frequently Asked Questions
To complete our guide, we have gathered some frequently asked questions related to casino game providers. Below, you can find our answers. If anything is still unclear or you have any questions to add, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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What is a casino game provider?
Casino game providers are the companies that develop the technology and designs of casino games. Online casinos can collaborate with different providers to list their games – for a fee.
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How does online gaming software differ from land-based casino games?
There are many similarities between online and land-based casino gaming software, but online gaming comes with some added challenges such as the possibility to play from different screen sizes and platforms. Some companies develop games that become available both offline and online, but the software behind the two versions won’t be exactly the same.
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What are the best casino game providers?
There are many to choose from and it all depends on your personal preferences. Some of our favourites here at Kabono are NetEnt, Microgaming and Evolution Gaming.
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Where can I find a list of casino software providers offered?
Most online casinos will list which software providers they offer in their footer, “about information” and/or in the game selection. The best casinos will have a filtering option in the game selection where you can choose to only display games from specific providers. See some of our recommended casinos at the top of this page and check out their game selection or our reviews for more information.
