As well as designing the slot games we love to play, there are several companies who provide complete software gaming platforms, which power particular online casinos. You might have seen some of these names before, and each of them offer something different and have their own unique selling points. To help you understand a bit more about them, we’ve put together a list of what we think are the 5 biggest platforms in the UK industry.
5. Play’n GO
Play’n Go is no stranger to the world of online slots and is truly a force to be reckoned with when it comes to online gaming. Despite being established in 2005 in Sweden, this leading developer has a long history reaching back to the 90s when the internet was only just starting to take off… A team of developers that had been working for another software company decided to pursue their own dreams and, in 2005, formed Play’n GO. With additional offices in Hungary, Malta, London and the Philippines, they are focused on instant and mobile gaming – as the name suggests, with an impressive gaming catalogue that includes slots, table games, video poker, and instant bingo. Play’n GO has won several awards in the gaming industry, and has been named ‘Mobile Product of the Year’ and ‘Slot Provider of the Year’ on numerous occasions. Some of the features Play’n GO are best recognised for, are their no-download focus, which means that players don’t need to worry about compatibility issues and can play directly through their browser, top-notch mobile slots, a great mix of games with varying themes, and availability – you’ll find Play’n GO games at plenty of online casinos, not just the popular ones!
4. Blueprint Gaming
Bringing years of experience in both online and physical slot machines to the table, Blueprint Gaming was founded in the UK in 2001. In 2008, the firm was acquired by German gaming giants Gauselmann, which was formed in 1957 and is one of the leading operators of physical and online slots in the world. This acquisition proved to be a positive move for both parties, as Blueprint Gaming has remained a well-known developer in the industry, with some of the most popular titles around. Their games boast feature-rich gameplay, high quality graphics, and top progressive jackpots. Blueprint Gaming are also known for their Jackpot King series, giving players the chance to win one of three juicy prize pots. With a maximum possible win of up to 50,000 times the bet, Jackpot King slots feature a progressive jackpot that continues to grow with every player’s bet, until one lucky player who triggers the appropriate symbols, wins it all. Some of their most popular slots include titles in the Fishin’ Frenzy, The Goonies and Luck O’ The Irish series. Blueprint Gaming holds three licenses, making it a reputable service that takes responsible gaming seriously. These licenses come from the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, the UK Gambling Commission, and the Malta Gaming Authority. Over the years, they have received several award nominations and wins, including ‘Game of the Year’ at the 2019 Gaming Intelligence Awards, ‘Most Electric Slot’ at the 2021 SlotsWise Gaming Awards, ‘Best Provider 2021’ and ‘Hottest New Slot 2021’.
3. Playtech
Founded in 1999 in Tartu, Estonia, Playtech gained their first casino licensee in 2001, and have since grown to be the world’s largest online gaming software supplier traded on the London Stock Exchange Main Market. Their headquarters are in the Isle of Man, UK, and they currently boast over 6,000 employees across 26 countries. They are widely considered to be among Microgaming’s primary competitors within the industry, and their extensive list of slot and casino games have become so popular that a lot of them have made the transition from online casinos to land-based gaming venues. The Playtech vision is to “remove the barrier of technology for our partners, while keeping them at the forefront of innovation”, and they’ve certainly achieved this, by making it easy to play casino games on mobile phones and tablet devices as well as desktop. Their range of products includes casino, poker, bingo, live games, sports betting, mobile play, lottery, fixed odds games, and so much more. Playtech also powers some of the big names in the iGaming world, such as William Hill Casino, Betfred, bet365, and Betfair, as well as being a major player in the land-based gambling industry. Some of their most popular games are based on hit movies, which many players enjoy. This is made possible by their licensing agreements with big name movie and entertainment brands, allowing them to create games with mass-market appeal that not only tap into current trends, but help them reach new audiences.
2. NetEnt
Founded in 1996, NetEnt launched their first casino in 2002, and have since grown to serve over 200 of the world’s most prominent casino operators. They employ what they term a ‘rapid-growth’ culture, which means that they aim to continue growing at the same, or at a higher rate than the previous five years. They believe that this is enabled by a strong corporate culture, as well as the constant drive to adapt to the ever-changing iGaming environment. They strive to challenge the industry and create innovative work, and their talented team take pride in products that are unique, informed and ahead. They now boast a catalogue of thrilling games that have become staples of the online casino world, and have won numerous awards for their achievements including the ‘Digital Gaming Innovation of the Year’ award from the Global Gaming Awards, as well as EGR, IGA and WIG awards. They’ve even managed to get a mention in the Guinness Book of Records as one of their progressive slot games paid out the biggest ever progressive jackpot won online at the time! You’ll have seen NetEnt partnering with well-known brands such as 888, bet365, Sky Vegas, Betfair, and more. They offer a range of brilliant slot games which have proven to be extremely popular with players, like Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst, Twin Spin, Divine Fortune, and Aloha! Cluster Pays. Some of these have now become modern classics and the icons of the games are instantly recognisable.
1. Microgaming
Microgaming are the world’s leading supplier of online gaming and created the world’s first proper online casino, back in 1994. They also boast being the provider of the first gambling software to accept real cash wagers on the Internet. Their products include casino, multi-player, poker, bingo, land-based, sportsbook, live dealer, and more. To date they’ve created over 1,200 unique casino games, and often release new titles to constantly expand their impressive portfolio. They have also been at the forefront of mobile development, producing games that are just as playable on phones and tablets as they are on desktop. Their mobile range offers hundreds of games, and they have both a downloadable and a no-download gaming platform, to suit a range of audiences. Players can choose from a variety of settings to allow a tailored gaming experience and play more than one game at a time. Microgaming are famously known for having the software that generated one of the biggest online bingo wins in history, at £5.88 million. Plus, they have also set the record for the largest jackpot payout in an online slot machine game, which came in at a massive £18.4 million! Their online progressive jackpot network is one of the largest in the world and they’ve paid out over €1.3 billion across all jackpots, tiers and games to date. However, they’re not just about the numbers, they also strive to make the gaming environment fair and responsible. They are founding members of eCOGRA (e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) and the IGC (Interactive Gaming Council), and they also support the local community through the Microgaming PlayItForward scheme.
Our honourable mentions include Red Tiger Gaming, Gamesys, Big Time Gaming, Pragmatic Play, IGT and Yggdrasil, which are equally making waves in the slots industry and certainly ones to watch!
Each online slots software developer will have its own advantages and drawbacks for each player, but whichever games you choose to try, the main thing is to keep it fun and play it safe.
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