We at BestRatedSlotSites.co.uk find that there is often a misconception in the gambling space about who creates online casino games. While a lot of people think that it is the casinos themselves that create the games they offer, this couldn't be further from the truth. On the contrary, independent software developers design casino games and then license them to online operators.

This is highly beneficial for you as the player, as it ensures that the casino platform does not have any control over the games they host. Instead, this role is reversed exclusively for heavily regulated software providers.

Due to the growth of the online gambling arena, there is now well over a hundred casino-centric software developers operating in the market. However, a select number of companies dominate the vast majority of the space. We at BestRatedSlotSites.co.uk have compiled a list of the biggest (& best) software developers!

NetEnt

netent

Launched way back in 1996, NetEnt is one of the most reputable and well-established software providers operating in the online space. The team at NetEnt have a very strong focus on innovative slot games.

One of the greatest benefits to playing NetEnt slots is that they typically offer an above-average RTP. This ranges from 95-98%, which offers tremendous value for you as the player.

Evolution Gaming

evolution gaming

Have you ever had your cards dealt by an online live dealer? If so, then it’s all-but certain that the game would have been hosted by Evolution Gaming. Launched in 2006 and headquartered in Riga, Estonia, the software provider has a significant monopoly in the online live dealer space.

The vast majority of its games centres of live roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. However, Evolution Gaming also provides casino platforms with live Texas Hold'em, Caribian Stud, Three Card Poker, and Dream Catcher.

Microgaming

micro gaming

Incorporated in 1994, Microgaming is a market leader in the online casino software space. While the company originally supplied the land-based casino industry with machine-based software, Microgaming casinos have since launched over 500 games in the online arena.

This includes an extensive offering of slots, as well as other games such as blackjack, roulette, video poker and even virtual games. Microgaming is so well received in the online casino sphere that they now average four new titles each and every month.

Quickfire

quickfire

Quickfire is actually a subsidiary of parent company Microgaming. Launched in 2010, Microgaming incorporated Quickfire with the view of improving the end-to-end gaming experience for the instant play sector. With a specific focus on browser-based casino games, Quickfire offers the ultimate instant play gaming experience.

The best casino sites have a strong preference for hosting Quickfire games, not least because they are super convenient to integrate. In terms of the gaming suite offered by Quickfire, this covers everything from popular slots like Terminator 2, as well as a range of table games and virtual sports.

Playtech

playtech

Playtech has been servicing both the online and offline casino industry since 1999. The software developer now has a global reach, subsequently employing over 5000 people throughout its numerous international offices powering many Playtech casinos.

Popular slot titles include Goblin's Cave, as well as progressive jackpot slot Age of the Gods. Playtech is also involved in the development of other casino games. This includes software table games, live dealers, virtual sports, and even scratchcards. The software company is also well regarded for its state-of-the-art mobile casino games.

IGT

igt

In terms of the most established casino software developer in the market, nobody gets close to IGT. In fact, the software company has been supplying casinos with innovative games since the 1970s. IGT made the transition from offline-to-online in the early 2000s, and they have since been publicly listed on the NYSE.

The company is a bit of an all-rounder when it comes to its gaming suite. In terms of slots, the company has developed popular titles such as Cleopatra II and Pharaoh's Fortune. IGT also has a number of non-slot games, which covers everything from blackjack to video poker.

Thunderkick

thunderkick

Although Thunderkick games are less wide-spread than the other software developers we have mentioned thus far, they are very quickly increasing their exposure to the online gambling space. Launched in 2012, Thunderkick specialize purely in slot games. In fact, the company takes a "less is more" approach to its design phase, with a slot suite that covers just 29 games.

All of the slots on offer by Thunderkick are highly visual and jam-packed with state-of-the-art graphics. Well known titles include Toki Tome, 1429 Uncharted Seas, and Fruit Warp. Moreover, each and every Thunderkick slot title has been fully optimized for mobile gaming, making it perfect for those that like to gamble on-the-go.

Novomatic

Much like in the case of IGT, Novomatic is on the most established software developers in the industry. Launched back in the 1980s, the software company now provides innovative casino games in over 70 countries. When it comes to its gaming suite, Novomatic covers most segments of the gambling arena.

This includes a selection of popular table games, as well as video poker titles. In the slots department, Novomatic covers everything from feature-rich slots, to classic 3-reel slots. One of the most popular slot sites titles offered by Novomatic is that of the Book of RA.

Real Time Gaming (RGT)

Although RGT has been supplying land-based casinos with interactive gambling products since 1998, it was only recently that the company made the transition into the online space. At the time of writing, the software developers have over 150 casino games hosted by online platforms.

This includes popular table games such as roulette, blackjack, video poker and craps, as well as the odd virtual game. The company is also behind a number of video slots.

Barcrest

If you’ve ever played a pub-based fruit machine, then it's likely you’ve got first-hand experience of Barcrest. The software developer has a significant presence in the offline gambling space, although it is also attempting to increase its exposure to the online arena, too.

As you might have guessed, the vast majority of games designed and launched by Barcrest are focused on slots. We at BestRatedSlotSites.co.uk don’t mind this, as we prefer it when software developers focus on what they are good at.

Dragonfish

Launched almost two decades ago, Dragonfish have an excellent track record in the online development space. The software providers have developed more than 300 online casino games, and more than 100 mobile-only games. This includes hallmark casino games like blackjack and roulette, poker, and bingo.

Although the team at Dragonfish service a number of leading casinos, its major client is that of the 888casino group. The Dragonfish platform makes it super easy for casinos to install their games, and it even supports important metrics such as cashback, competitions, bonuses, and referral programs.

Yggdrasil

Yggdrasil

Yggdrasil is one of the latest entrants to the online casino software arena. Launched as recently as 2013, the Malta-based software provider has its games hosted by casinos throughout the UK and Europe. The vast majority of the Yggdrasil product range focuses on its state-of-the-art slots.

Popular titles include Easter Island, Beauty and the Beast, and Jungle Books. The developer has also dabbled in other areas of the online casino games space, including that of Keno and Lotto.

Nextgen Gaming

The team at Nextgen Gaming are also one of the most established and well-regarded software developers in the online casino space. Launched in 1999, the company now has offices in the UK, Sweden, and Australia. Nextgen Gaming specialise exclusively on slot titles, meaning they have no presence in the table game, live dealer, or virtual game segment. As a result, the slot department is highly extensivve.

Much of this centres on movie and TV show-based slot machines, such as the Mask and King Kong. On top of its main desktop device platform, Nextgen Gaming slots are also available via your mobile phone. Each and every game has been fully optimized, subsequently allowing you to retain the end-to-end gaming experience while on the move.

Rabcat

Based in Austria and first launched in 2011, Rabcat is a trusted casino developer that has a strong focus on slots. Prior to its online expansion, Rabact was also involved in the Austrian lottery space. The software provider is behind some really notable slot titles that offer innovative gaming experiences.

One such example of this is Castle Builder. The slot title facilitates a role-playing-adventure experience, whereby the player is required to build multiple castles as they progress through the game. This, of course, comes with a plethora of bonuses and features along the way.

Casino software providers - The verdict?

As you will see from our extensive list of leading software providers, the online casino is space is now serviced by a plethora of developers. While some developers are all-rounders, others prefer to specialize on a particular gambing niche, such as slots or live dealer games.

Although we have listed the most popular software developers currently in the market, the above list is not exhaustive. In fact, there is now well over a hundred independent developers in operation!

Charles Baxendale

A keen researcher in the development of methods and theories for computer sciences. A lover of algorithms and mathematical computation. Consultant to online slots software companies and a player in my spare time.