Online casinos operate by leasing software from companies that develop a variety of digital versions of classic online casino games. The software utilizes realistic graphics, sounds, and animations to provide players the experience of a real-life casino from the comfort of their own homes, or the convenience of playing on the go while using mobile phones.
All casinos available through OnlineCasino.org lease software from a list of the top developers in the world including:
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15 of the Best Online Gambling Software Providers
Since 1994 the stage for internet-based casinos was set. It was because a few individuals got together and came up with a plan to bring real money games to people’s front rooms.
At the time the internet had a limited infrastructure compared to today, but it was soon to become one of the most important communications in the world. Now today the same developers that first created online casino platforms are still here bigger than ever, and the industry itself has also attracted some newcomers.
Here’s an in-depth review of who they are, how they contribute, what they offer and what the future holds for each of these companies in what is the second biggest online industry behind the porn industry.
But before we start…
Just to keep you in the loop in case you didn’t know – online gambling software providers rent their platform out to willing investors. It is similar to a franchise such as McDonald’s. A company, partnership or individual investor will apply to operate their own franchise.
Each casino platform developer also makes their casino available for investors to build own and own the casino. Except, there is no brand form to follow as with a McDonalds franchise. The online casino is free to brand itself as it sees fit.
Operators can offer their own bonus and promotion offers, brand name and slogans. Loyalty program, advertising and web site lay out are all down to the operator; while in the background the casino platform collects a revenue deal from the operator as payment.
The Developers
For all these developer the future looks good. Many of the larger companies you’ll read about such as Microgaming, NYX and NetEnt already share games on each other’s casino gaming platforms and they have enabled competition to come in from companies that are purely gaming developers that need a software platform to distribute their games.
With the diversity and growth of the online casino market, we can only expect more rather than less. Hence, for all these developers, there is a long future ahead of them.
It was Microgaming that became the first software developer to release an online casino. Since then the Isle of Man based outfit has become the pioneering force in the online gambling industry.
‘The Gaming Club’ is still around today and is a typical representation of what Microgaming is all about with mobile, live and desktop games available around the clock, and the new popular Vegas Paradise online casino with all the best slots games.
Today Microgaming has its platform in lodged into over 400 online casinos effectively supplying a huge number of operators.
Microgaming’s Casino Games
Over time Microgaming have managed to release the highest number of real money virtual casino games both on desktop and mobile devices. Currently, there list of games is so long, we can only categorise them briefly:
- European, French, American, Vegas and 8 Wheel Roulette styles
- Online Slots, some of the best you can find
- A selection of Blackjack Games with varying bonus bets and global styles
- Poker games such as Holdem, Caribbean Stud, Pai Gow, 3 Card Poker
- Baccarat
- Video Poker
- Keno
- Scratchcards
Live Casino
One of the latest hits in online gaming is live dealer suits. Microgaming have deluxe live dealer suites to live Play Boy Bunny girl dealers and croupiers. The Microgaming Live Dealer Suites is the only ECOGRA approved live gaming studio.
Microgaming’s Millionaire Jackpots
One of Microgaming’s biggest contributions to the online gaming market is Progressive Jackpots. Their Microgaming progressive jackpot network MPJN slots and games are listed in the jackpot sections of every Microgaming operator site. It has meant players have been winning multi-million dollar jackpots both from desktop and mobile play.
The system is ingenious. It counts every player from every casino playing on the slot and collates this data in order to create a fast growing and millionaire sized progressive jackpot.
As players are playing on the slot, in the background there is a huge real-time database sync operation going on between over 400 operators. The database syncs game stats for the progressive slot from every casino operator connected to the network and this then counts all every player from across the globe helping to create a quick rising jackpot.
Progressive Jackpot from Microgaming include titles such as:
- The Dark Knight Rises
- Mega Moolah
- Major Millions
- King Cashalot
- Fruit Fiesta
- Roulette Royal
- Cyberstud Poker
- Poker Ride
- Jackpot Deuces Video Poker
- Video Poker Video Poker
Microgaming’s 243 Ways to Win Concept
One the most groundbreaking contribution to the fundamental game playing experience on slots was made by Microgaming. They invented the “243 ways to win” slot machine. Symbols no longer have to line up, but instead, to make a combination, the first symbol must start on reel one and the combination must line up sequentially along the reel.
For example, a 3 of a kind would be symbols on adjacent reels 1, 2 and 3. With 243 ways to win, it doesn’t matter which position the symbol is in on the reel. Essentially, Microgaming eliminated the need for pay lines.
1024 Ways to Win Slot Machines
Just as we thought 243 ways to win was the new way slots would be played, Microgaming released a 1024 Ways to Win feature available during free spins on their brand new ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ giving a taster of just what was to come – now there are several 1024 Ways to Win slots out there:
- Artic Fortune
- Terminator 2 Judgment Day
- Lucky Panda
- Hot Ink
- Miss Red
MPN – Microgaming Poker Network
Another side to Microgaming’s gigantic reach over several niche gaming elements is online poker. Operators can opt in to offer online poker signups from their casinos that connect to the Microgaming Poker Network.
What does the future hold for Microgaming?
Multi-award winning companies tend not to go anywhere. Microgaming has a knack of listening to what its online gamers are saying. As a result, they have an uncanny knack of always knowing exactly what their online casino clientele want.
They were also very quick to react to the mobile market streaming games to every type of Android, Windows 8 and iOS device on the market. The company also boasts the largest number of mobile games on the market.
Currently, Quickfire is responsible for delivering online games to the operators that run is all about. Currently, Quickfire is responsible for delivering the right code to the right device according to the game selected by the user. Android devices, iOS Tablets, MACS, iPhones, Windows 8 mobiles and desktop OSs.
Adaptive Technology
It does this using adaptive technology that syncs the game speeds and features to run in time with your device’s internet connection and the hardware capabilities of your device. Amazingly, this gives every player the best possible gaming experience offering crisp and sharp gameplay.
The Quickfire platform also delivers games from third party software designers. You may wonder why Microgaming online casinos also help their competitors’ list slots and table games in their gaming sections. For example, you can play Next Generation Gaming (From NYX) games on Microgaming casinos such as Vegas Paradise.
Extended Third-party Interface (ETD)
Inside the matrix of Quickfire code is an Extended Third-party Interface (ETD) that helps Microgaming casinos present a diverse collection of games from an array of software providers.
Top 5 Microgaming Real Money Non-Progressive Games Streamed by Quickfire
- Jurassic Park Slot
- Avalon II Slot
- Game of Thrones Slot
- Premier Roulette
- Premier Blackjack
What does the future hold for Quickfire?
There is no way Microgaming could operate without its subsidiary company Quickfire. With the marketing success of Microgaming’s brand and the popularity of its games list, Quickfire will need to pump through online casino games to tablets, Smartphones, desktops, tablets and PCs for decades to come.
Plus, with Quickfire’s super adaptive code that works across multiple platforms, the secret behind its software engineering is a priceless commodity in demand.
Cryptologic
In 1995 Cryptologic were about to embark on a journey that would change the companies destiny forever. At the time the company was a reputable security software solutions provider.
When Microgaming released their new online casino concept they didn’t do it on their own. The developer’s platform had instant deposits and withdrawals, a gaming platform with real money virtual casino software games, which worked well; nonetheless, this was not enough to convince the general public that online gaming was going to be a thing of the future.
Cryptologic Join Microgaming
In came Cryptologic with a state-of-the-art casino management system. Combined with Microgaming’s awesome game designs the first online casino were made possible.
Effectively, it was Cryptologic that managed the platform that tracked user accounts, loyalty points and more player specifics in order to perform market research and offer clientele a real life casino like experience. This was as opposed to just have the player’s credit card details, IP address and name.
Cryptologic Transforms from a Software Security Company to a Major Player in the Online Casino Industry
Since then Cryptologic created its own fully operated casino software platform delivering a host of Cryptologic games to operators. The very first Cryptologic casino was released in 1996 named Intercasino, which is another online casino still around today and still very popular.
Today’s Cryptologic Casinos
Mr GreenVIP CasinoBetsafe CasinoEU CasinoSlots Magic
Well-known Cryptologic DC Comic Slot Titles
Cryptologic have struck up several deals with DC Comics to release slots that have been themed around characters from the DC Comic collection of super human beings. Some of the top titles that still rock in today’s online casinos include:
- Elektra
- Superman
- Iron Man 3
- Thor
- Incredible Hulk
- X-Men
- Wolverine
- The Avengers
- Spiderman
- Daredevil
Some of these games such as Superman are available via Quickfire’s ETI software coding that allows Cryptologic to stream its games to operators running the Microgaming real money software platform. Casino such as Vegas Paradise and Jackpot Paradise both run these casinos.
Cryptologic Casino Games
One of the biggest reasons they can be proud is because the Cryptologic team found a way they could design their own games and compete in one of the hottest online industries on the WWW today. The quality of Cryptologic Games Continues:
- Cryptologic Roulette – American, European, French, and VIP Roulette
- Cryptologic Blackjack – Spanish, Double Exposure, Vegas Blackjack
- Baccarat
- 3 Card Poker
- Caribbean Stud Poker
- Pai Gow Poker
- Caribbean Holdem
- Oasis Poker
- Pontoon
- Red Dog
- Sic Bo
- Craps
- Let Em Ride
What does the future hold for Cryptologic?
One the best marketing deals Cryptologic made was to get the rights to creating Marvel Comic Themed slot machines. And, since then, the company has been bought by Amaya Gaming, now one of the largest online gaming systems in the world. With these solid backers, the future is bright for Cryptologic.
NextGen and NYX have a similar deal to the Microgaming and Quickfire set-up. NXY is an Australian-based outfit running its own prestigious progressive jackpot network and a host of casino table games, bingo, lottery games and slots on the desktop and mobile devices.
NYX’s complete OGS casino solution takes care of the platform; while its subsidiary, NextGen Gaming, develops the games.
With NYX’s super-duper software platform and NextGens awesome games the company has partnered up with 100 operators distributing over 300 games across the net, and the company is still growing immensely.
NextGen’s 3D Slots Gaming List
They have an extensive mobile and desktop games list well-known for feature rich 3D gaming.
- Holly Madison
- Medusa II
- Foxin Wins
- Foxin Wins Again
- Irish Eyes 2
- Remess Riches
- Judge Dredd
One of the greatest revelations in the online slots market has been the adaption of the 243 Ways to Win system by Next Generation Gaming. Medusa II was one of the very first Next Generation slot machines to use the 243 Ways to Win concept.
What does the future hold for NYX & NextGen?
The partnership between NextGen and NYX has been as solid as their main competitors. NextGen and NYX came out of nowhere with amazing 3D gaming immediately making their mark in the virtual gaming industry. That same market breaking innovation has never been lost since NYX first arrived making the company economically strong, its reputation unquestionable and quality that will continue to create growing demand.
- Net Entertainment (Net Ent)
Another one of the largest online casino software platform and gaming developers. Net Entertainment has its own casino platform and the company develops its own games.
There is also a huge Net Entertainment Progressive Jackpot Network making in number network number 3 challenged between arguably the three big guns leading the way in the online real money gaming market.
Online Casino Games from NetEnt
There are 18 table games available with 2 of them possessing progressive jackpots via Net Entertainment’s jackpot network. There are also 6 versions of Video Poker, a Keno game and a selection of 7 mini games that include Mini Roulette, Mini Blackjack, and Mini Goal.
Check out our list giving you more games from NetEnt:
- Caribbean Stud (Progressive)
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Red Dog
- Punto Banco & Baccarat
- Oasis Poker
- Pontoon
Slot Games from NetEnt
Another reason NetEnt is so well known is for its mega slots! Graphically brilliant, with awesome sound effects and features, the NetEnt slots are some of the best around.
Here are a few NetEnt slot titles to tantalize your taste buds:
- Alien
- Arabian Nights (Progressive)
- Dead or Alive
- Frankenstein
- Jack Hammer 2
- Hall of Gods (Progressive)
What does the future hold for NetEnt?
NetEnt is as big as NYX and Microgaming and just as famous for a sound business model. They have a list of games that run on both mobile and desktop devices across multiple operating systems and versions. The company is continuing with its aggressive release of mobile and desktop real money games with no signs of ever being pushed out of the market. And with a loyal following behind them, their casino platform and games will be in demand long into the future.
BetSoft pride themselves on a reputation for creating high-quality games that give players a true 3D cinematic feel.
Through both its self-labelled Slot3 and ToGo software technology the online gaming provider has produced a market of slots of table games that have been a hit with the masses on both mobile and desktop devices across multiple platforms.
Using their own casino platform, BetSoft are yet another one of the real money gaming markets largest software platform and casino gaming solution providers.
- Texas Hold’em
- Caribbean Poker
- 3D Poker
What does the future hold for Betsoft?
With the development of Slots3 and the ToGo gaming sections to the business, BetSoft has continued to rise. The developer adapted to the mobile market in more than enough time and will continue to be rock solid addition to the growing online casino market.
One Software Company that really couldn’t go without a mention is Evolution Gaming; experts in live dealer suites. Currently the company operates two dedicated to William Hill live casino studios.
They also have a long list of clients also with dedicated and/or shared dealer suites all owned, managed and operated by EvolutionGaming’s awesome business model bring live dealers to World Wide Web.
Live Dealer Features at Evolution Gaming
- Live Casino on Mobiles
- Blackjack Party
- Immersive Roulette
- Live Roulette
- Live Blackjack
- Liver Three Card Poker
- Live Baccarat
- Live Casino Hold’em
- VIP Red Room (Private tables, high stakes)
What does the future hold for Evolutiongaming?
This is one of the only companies out there that specialises in live dealer suites. In this article we have been mentioning state-of-the-art software based online casino platforms, but as for live dealer suite platforms, aside from Microgaming, this is one of the most unique service providers out there.
They may experience some competition with the same idea, but EvolutionGaming were the first there, and so it would be difficult to knock them off their perch.
A Swedish based company running out of Stockholm, Thunderkick is one of the online gaming industry’s newest arrivals making a very big impression. Seen running off the NYX casino platform, the newcomer is known for purely releasing slots that come with a new and quirky way of playing.
- Arcader
- Flux
- Fruit Warp
- Barber Shop
- Uncharted Seas
What does the future hold for Thunderkick?
This is still a young and growing company. On their website, it says that the team has years of experience developing games. Their entire gaming platform is done in house, but they do also run through NYX casinos. With the company’s new line of amusing games and differentiated gameplay to the norm, Thunderkick has become a very popular brand of slots.
Playtech is another one of the largest online casino platform designers and game developers out there. The company arrived on the market in 1999 and since being founded it boasts award-winning online gaming systems that any of the top software developers mentioned within this report of the big 15.
Current Areas of Market Operation
As you can see, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that Playtech has spread its company wings dipping into an array of online gaming systems run on Playtech gaming platforms.
- Online Poker
- Mobile Gaming
- Live Sports
- Bingo
- Live Dealer Suites
- Online Casinos
- Slot Machine Retail
What does the future hold for Playtech?
Well, the future for Playtech has always been bright. If you work for Playtech and ever wanted to know your company is doing fine, all you need to do is just look at the growth rate of the company over the past decade. The line would put a smile on an employee’s face as it continues to appreciate year after year.
Quickspin is a Swedish game developer just recently being seen on NYX and Microgaming operated online casinos. As NYX and Microgaming are willing to share games on each other’s networks Quickspin have had a double-edged sword enabling them to slice into the market from two angles.
Quickspin’s Team Experience with NetEnt and Unibet
The CEO and VP of products have both been involved with NetEnt in the past and the VP of Strategy worked as an Executive Manager for Unibet Group. Their strategy in the real-money online gaming market is to break into the slot market, which they have done with ease!
Slot Games from Quickspin
Quickspin’s unique features, awesome themes and excellent graphics with support from NYX and Quickfire’s delivery systems offers some of the best online slot play today. They make their money through a part revenue share with the companies that run Quickspin games via their casinos.
- Big Bad Wolf
- Titan Thunder
- Hidden Vally
- Sevens High
- The Epic Journey
What does the future hold for Quickspin?
In short very, very, very bright indeed. Their gaming collection is growing and they have a different angle on how slots should be played giving them a unique and promising outlook.
Big Time Gaming is one of the ‘big time’ companies out there running out of Australia for several years. The software developers partners with Quickfire Microgaming, OGS, which is NYXs casino software distribution system, OpenBet, Leander Games and more sharing revenue in exchange for the software platform owner such Quickfire to distribute their games.
Games are available in over 20 languages and the angle Big Time takes on its gaming products is to offer highly sophisticated gameplay, high-end graphical play across a wide range of platforms using a diverse set of games and reactor slots with some alternative gameplay.
Big Time Gaming Online Casino Games
- Auto Roulette
- Finest Roulette
- VIP Roulette
- Auto Blackjack
Slots produced by Big Time Gaming
- Lucky Streak
- Temple of Fortune
- Vegas Dreams
- Temple Quest
- Golden Goals
BTG Reactor Jackpot Slots
- Joker Jackpot
- Mr Multiplier
- Diamonds
What does the future hold for Big Time Gaming?
BTG games can be found across NetEnt, NYX and Microgaming casinos. They are also one of the more mature companies in this list of software developers. Their games are awesome and the company is always producing new stuff keeping the market and their games fresh. BTG have been around so long now and perfected their business model to guarantee this gaming provider will continue to release top titles online.
Rabcat is another Australian-based gaming software developer. They are well-known in the x-box 360 market for producing several high-end titles such as Star Wars, Crackdown, and Forza Horizon via their Gaming Arts division.
Rabcat Slots with Player Levels and Progress
In their gambling productions side of the market, Rabcat is famous for several titles and have a long standing relationship with Microgaming, which distributes Rabcat’s games. Their trademark is producing slot machines with astounding graphics with games that come with player achievements so progress on the slots and jumping levels is all part of the unique gameplay.
- Dragon’s Myth
- Castle Builder
- Forsaken Kingdom
- Legend of Olympus
- Penguin Splash
What does the future hold for Rabcat?
Rabcat has been around for a while in the gaming industry. With two division successfully releasing games for both Xbox and gambling games to be delivered by Microgaming, the company is looking in good shape. The team is an innovative group of professionals and they always produce games that bring in revenue. Rabcat and its team are here to stay!
Another Swedish-based company is Elk Studios that focuses on mobile casino games. They began operating in 2012 and have released the following titles and use a system called Game On to give loyal players more loyalty points.
- Electric Sam 243 Ways to Win
- The Lab 5 reel Slot
- Champions Goal
What does the future hold for Elk Studios?
Certainly, one to watch for the future. As a newcomer to the market Elk Studios still has a lot to prove. Their focus on producing mobile games is a wise move. With 2 years behind them they seem solid, but time will tell looking into the future of this company.
1×2 Gaming is not at all a small outfit. The UK based company working out of Brighton & Hove. In a very tough market to crack, the 1×2 Gaming development team have done an incredibly good job at creating a high-quality online casino platform and games to boot.
The 1×2 Gaming platform is already hosting massive online gaming sites such as Ladbrokes, Bet365 and the well-known BwinParty system that has re-entered the US.
Links up over the NYX network
- European and Astro Roulette Styles
- Baccarat
- Blackjack Bonus
- Red Queen
- Six Shooter
- Sic Bo
- Poker Dice
- Virtual Soccer
Slots from 1×2 Gaming
- Kick Ass
- Halloween Horrors
- Treasure Tomb
- Penalty Shootout
- Candy Land
What does the future hold for 1×2 Gaming?
With Party gaming being seen in the US market in the states online gambling is being legally distributed online, the only way is up. The US government see the benefit of the taxes that come from gambling – and how quickly they come. It probably won’t be long before all states follow suit bringing the 1×2 Gaming Platform in front of a 250 million population!
Play’n Go is another company that specializes in real money virtual slots as well as Back office management tools. Their casino platform is like any other – it comes with an e-payment solution, secure encrypted connections, desktop and mobile multi-platform support as well as a whole range of Play ‘n’ Go bingo and casino games.
Play’n Go Slots Selection
- Scandinavian Babes Slot
- Hunt for Gold Jackpot Slot
- Cowboy Treasure Jackpot Slot
- Blackjack
- Caribbean Stud Poker
- Roulette
What does the future hold for Play’n Go?
In 2010 a merger with Jadestone meant Play’n Go were about to hit the online casino market. 4 years later and Play’n Go are still releasing top titles; while their casino software platform is gaining steam. As a challenger to BetSoft, NYX, NetEnt and Microgaming – the new casino gaming focused Playtech has showed a lot of strength by increasing its market share year-on-year.