Online casino software providers are often overlooked in the gambling industry, especially by new players to the scene, who may believe that the casino makes its own games.

But the reality is that behind every great online casino, is a great game developer, which often lays the foundation during a casino’s inception.

Software companies develop games independently using sophisticated technology and a knowledgeable team of expert game developers. The develop then partners with online casino companies to provide their portfolio of games to real players via the casino website.

It is rare that an online casino will develop its own games, though in more recent times there have been a few casinos that have attempted this.

However, ultimately without these third party software developers there would be no games to play and therefore no players at the online casino. After all that is what they are there for.

An easy way of looking at it is that there are two sides to every online casino; frontend and backend. The frontend is the casino sites’ shop front – with bonus information and attractive graphics, whereas the backend is the game mechanisms at what makes the casino tick. One is useless without the other – without the shop front there is no way to access the games and without the backend there are no games to play.

Recommended Casino Game Developers

Every casino / slots developer creates its own set of games, which can be used in either online casinos or local physical casino establishments.

Developers are always looking for new and creative ways to stand out from the crowd and not only win more casino contracts, but provide the best possible gambling experience and player satisfaction.

With advances in technology and the growth of the online gambling industry over the last 10 years, software providers have evolved to not only move with the times, but to keep up with increasingly new demands.

For example, mobile gambling is slowly but surely overtaking traditional online gambling (using a computer). Not only that, but modern players want to see the very best graphics, enjoy the smoothest gameplay and experience exciting features such as 3D visuals to name a few.

Companies that have failed to meet the ever growing list of demands by casino enthusiasts often get left behind.

This is then reflected in both the quality and the amount of games available to play.

What’s more is, if the choice of games is poor, the developer can be part-responsible for the amount of (or lack of) player memberships a particular online casino has on its books.

Comparing Software Companies of Online Casinos

When looking to choose a new casino, either for the very first time or switching from another casino site, one of the first things players should look for is who supplies the games.

Each game provider develops its own game selection, ethos and style in which it creates its games.

Knowing which developer is the best can sometimes be tricky, especially as companies are constantly striving to be pole position, and so are always on the lookout at what is trending.

As technology advances, developers come up with innovative new ways to introduce new features and enhance the overall player experience.

So when comparing one developer against another, it is important to not just look at the selection of games, but at the specific qualities of each game, such as graphics, security, load speed and stability.

In addition, the top online casino software developers of the world will always clearly show various credentials up-front to players as a vote of confidence and to create trust from the start. These credentials include how fair the games are and who regulates the company.

Reputable software providers should also be independently tested and reviewed regularly to ensure they offer a safe and fair gaming experience with a realistic Return-To-Player (RTP) ratio on its games.

Game Software RTP and Payout Percentage

Players gamble online to win. Although inevitable, no one sets out to lose and the ultimate aim is to pocket more real cash than what they put in.

RTP, also known as Return-To-Player ratio (or Payout Percentage), is a particular factor of casino game software that players should pay attention to.

This is the odds associated with each game and how much players should expect to get back (on average).

Most reviews of software providers will show you what the return is likely to be and your odds of winning.

This can vary from game to game and is always shown as an average figure over a specific number of plays, rather than each time the game is played by you.

Some game software developers use RTP as a selling point and set their percentage higher than competitors in order to make them more attractive to players. If you want an increased chance of winning, look for games that offer a higher RTP percentage. A high RTP is considered in the 97%-98% range.

Online games are developed on a programming mechanism known as RNG (Random Number Generator). The odds of winning on RNG games are not affected by others players winning or losing. Instead the target RTP relies on statistical chances over a set number of plays.

Top Online Slot Machine Developers

Over the last 10 years, online gambling popularity has increased at a steady pace year on year and with the introduction of smartphones, playing games such as slots on the move has become the norm.

Online slot machine games are now more accessible than ever, but many new players expect to see the same games at any online casino they choose.

However, depending on which software developer the casino company has partnered with determines the selection of games at a players’ disposal.

So before jumping in to the first slots casino site you see, take a look at their game selection to see if it has the particular game you’re looking for.

One of the hottest games of late is Starburst slots. But only online casinos who are partnered with the software provider NetEnt will offer this title.

Below we look at a few of the top online slot machine developers, including NetEnt.

NetEnt – Also known as Net Entertainment, this software provider has been one of the largest gaming brands of the last 10 years. Despite being established over 20 years ago, NetEnt has taken the online and mobile gambling world by storm in the last decade with big game brands like Starburst, Narcos, Jumanji, Planet of the Apes and Twin Spin.

Microgaming – Is a world renowned software developer that has had a solid reputation since its early birth years right through to present. It has one of the largest selections of games in its portfolio and is known for being a reputable brand in the iGaming industry. Popular Microgaming hits include; Game of Thrones, Lucky Leprechaun, The Rat Pack, Jurassic Park and Terminator 2.

IGT – An instantly recognisable software provider known for its solid reputation in land-based casinos. IGT continues to go from strength to strength in the UK and other parts of Europe, particularly because of its high quality visuals and smooth gameplay in all its online games. Notable hits from IGT include; Cleopatra, Ghostbusters, Wolf Run, Avatar, Back to the Future and Monopoly Here and Now.

Playtech – This software developer is dubbed the king of branded games. Since striking one of, if not the largest licensing deals in iGaming, it has established itself as the cream of the crop being the sole developer for Marvel comic hits – including Iron Man, Avengers, Spiderman and X-Men slots. Super heroes aside, it also boasts an equally as impressive portfolio of other branded titles such as Ace Ventura, Gladiator, The Matrix and Top Gun slot to name a few.

Best Live Casino Game Software Providers

When online casinos became a thing, gambling involved playing RNG games with no interaction from the casino.

However, since the introduction of live casino games such as live roulette and blackjack, the industry was revolutionised and players could play real time table games with real casino dealers and croupiers.

In today’s day, many software providers changed their approach to game development as they looked to emulate their competitors. This allowed more online casinos to offer live games to its customers.

There are now plenty of casino sites that are partnered with third party live game developers so that they can diversify their audience.

One of the most notable and reputable names in live game development is Evolution Gaming. This and other similar brands have developed software that allows live streaming of  table games, so that the game can be broadcast in real time – just as if you were in a real casino. The sophisticated software incorporates video streaming, a functional chat feature to interact with casino staff and a user friendly interface that allows players to place bets in real time.

The Future of iGaming Developers

Online casino game developers have been around for many years and show no signs of slowing down.

Back in the day, online casinos used to partner with a single game developer, who in turn would provide all of the casino sites’ games exclusively.

However, to meet rising demand from players, online casinos are now striking deals with multiple software providers so they can compete in offering hundreds of games to players and be known for having one of the largest portfolio of games on offer.

What’s more is, there is a growing demand for ‘big win’ games as companies look to develop more progressive jackpot slots with life changing sums of cash.

Despite the iGaming industry being fierce in competition, the popularity is still rising year on year for both new casino providers and new software developers.

Just when the industry looks to be reaching a plateau, a significant change happens which sends the industry into a frenzy, as proven by past events such as the development and introduction of casino apps, 3D games, video slots, social media integration and live games.

Whilst some game developers sink, others swim and continue to surprise both casino operators and punters. Without a doubt 2024 is still as exciting as 2010 and casino enthusiasts are on the edge of their seats to see what is around the corner from casino software developers; virtual reality, more skill-based games and revolutionary payment technology are all realistic possibilities for the near future.

What Makes A Great Software Provider?

When we look below the surface of a provider and observe the finer details, it is easy to see why some software providers stand tall above others. We can also get a clear picture of what makes a great software developer and why others struggle to match up.

Firstly, players want a wide variety of games to play, so without a doubt the number of games is important. But being able to develop and release a consistent number of new games on a regular basis is up there too.

In order to keep the player engaged, casinos want new game releases so that their website stays relevant, current and so that the player does not go elsewhere. Releasing weekly games that are high quality and fun to play is a must of any reputable software developer.

Secondly, safety is a also priority for many online players – especially those who are cautious with their financial details. Therefore, game developers must consider safety as paramount with a robust safety ethos and to ensure that games are maintained and updated frequently.

Lastly; casino software providers must always hold a license in the jurisdiction where they are providing games. Not only does this reinforce trust, but is also important as part of the verification process to ensure that games are independently tested so that they are legit and provide the player with a fair gaming experience.