Ainsworth Review
By Alex Smith, Last Modified May 29, 2024
Verdict
Most games contain unique bonus features
Ainsworth, or Ainsworth Game Technology, is one of the world’s oldest and longest-running developers of casino games, and the company has been around since 1995. That may not sound like an exceptionally long time, but the company’s founder, Lee Ainsworth, founded another highly successful company back in the 1950s: Aristocrat.
Ainsworth first made a name for itself by developing a solid range of land-based slot machines, which can still be found worldwide in land-based casinos. 2013 saw the company choose a change of direction, and this is the year that they released their first online video slot, available to players around the world from their desktop computers for the first time.
While their entry into the online betting market was slow—their games are still found at relatively few online casinos, for example—they now hold licenses from significant regulations like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. This has allowed more Ainsworth casinos to crop up, and we’re likely to see the software provider continue to push this in the future.
Today, Ainsworth continues to be a leading figure in both the online and offline gambling worlds. Many of their most popular games have now been “ported” to HTML5 and Flash, ensuring that you can enjoy them online.
In this Ainsworth software review, we’ll examine the company in depth, including the software platform used for the games offered by the company. We’ll then conclude the review by discussing the software’s pros and cons and some basic company details. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Ainsworth Casinos
Software Platform
AWhile Ainsworth began by building games for land-based cabinets, today, the company strongly emphasizes pushing video slots to the online gambling world—this is why many of their games released today are available in HTML5. Whether you play Ainsworth Game Technology slot titles at online casinos or brick-and-mortar casinos, the games maintain high quality
Slot Games
Ainsworth Game Technology has developed a wide variety of games in different categories. Below, we will examine top slot games from the software developer that can be found at a casino site that offers Ainsworth Game Technology games.
King Kong:
King Kong is a notable release for Ainsworth Game Technology as it’s one of only four branded slots they’ve released. As you can probably tell from the name, King Kong is themed around… yes, that’s right, King Kong! The game is incredibly exciting both during the base game and the free spins round—and if you’re lucky enough to trigger the free spins bonus, you can see yourself awarded up to 99 free spins!
At one point, the software developer, headed by Leonard Ainsworth, was set to release more branded slot titles. Unfortunately, this hasn’t materialized, and whether Ainsworth Game Technology will look to rekindle this idea in the future remains to be seen.
Golden Cash:
Golden Cash is a video slot from Ainsworth. It’s a notable release for the game developer, as it was their first slot to be released on their “Multi-Denom” standalone cabinet.
The game has been well-received by players, and one of the main reasons cited for its success is that it has not one, not two, but three bonus features, alongside a progressive jackpot, which can pay as much as $5,000 when triggered! If you’re looking for classic Ainsworth games in land-based casinos, this is a title you won’t want to miss.
Thunder Cash:
Thunder Cash is one of Ainsworth’s most popular Greek games. From the moment you open the game, you will be playing alongside Zeus as you attempt to win the powerful Greek God battles! The bonus round is the most appealing aspect of the game, as it carries a whopping 3,000X stake maximum win—and when you see just how well-made and good-looking the game is, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t give it a go sooner!
Like other Ainsworth games—think Mustang Money, Crystal Cash, and Barnyard Bonanza—Thunder Cash offers free versions, too, so you can test out the quality of the game without spending any money.
Sheer Magic:
Almost all reputable game developers have some form of magician-themed slot… and Ainsworth is no exception, with their “Sheer Magic” game making up their offering in this genre. The game follows the simple life of a magician, and you will see the magician on the side of your screen, dressed appropriately in a magician’s hat and white gloves.
Like many of Ainsworth’s games, Sheer Magic’s main potential lies within the free spins bonus round, and this is triggered by landing 3, 4, or 5 of the scatter symbols anywhere in view. Once you manage to do so, you can win up to 400 spins – and the free-spins round is known for being able to re-trigger frequently, so often you can go on spinning for quite some time!
50 Dolphins: We’ve seen dolphin-themed video slots from almost all providers, and 50 Dolphins is Ainsworth’s answer to the theme, taking place deep in the ocean trenches. One of the game developer’s first releases to offer stacked reels, the potential in 50 Dolphins is tremendous, and while the high-volatile nature of the slot means it doesn’t appeal to all players, those who’re willing to take a punt and accept a somewhat feral base-game, can see themselves rewarded handsomely if they manage to hit the feature.
Cash Hound: Cash Hound is a multi-feature slot from Ainsworth, and while the slot is currently only available in offline markets, it’s rumoured to soon be making its way to the online world – and this is good news for players accustomed to Ainsworth’s slots, as Cash Hound offers three different mystery jackpots, which can trigger on any spin.
Dream Strike: Dream Strike is a video slot that’s based around Ainsworth’s Las Vegas-themed “Players Paradise” series of slots, and in Dream Strike, you’ll find yourself faced with a progressive jackpot, alongside a free-spins feature. While the look and feel of the game isn’t anything too spectacular, Dream Strike benefits from a solid math model, and the slot’s medium-variance nature makes for lengthy playing sessions, with the chance of hitting big wins!
Glitter Gems: Glitter Gems is one of Ainsworth’s most popular online slots, and – as the name probably suggests – the slot is themed around gemstones and jewels. With a paying-scatter symbol, and a free-spins feature, Glitter Gems promises nonstop action, and the bling-y visual dynamics make for a dynamic and exciting gaming experience.
Big Thunder: Big Thunder is a jungle-themed slot from Ainsworth, and the visual dynamics of the slot are what makes it so popular, combined with the exciting free-spins feature which can trigger on any base-game spin! There’s also an exciting 6th reel present in the base game, and if a bonus symbol is to land on here – AND a 5-of-a-kind symbol combination is made – a jackpot will be awarded… so there’s great potential, both for excitement, and big wins!
Eagle Bucks: Journey the great America as you play Eagle Bucks – one of the game developer’s most popular online video slots – and, noted for its calming, visually-appealing graphics, Eagle Bucks comes packed with an exciting free-spins feature, and there’s also payouts of up to 50X your stake for landing the scatter symbols anywhere in view during the base-game. While the gameplay may be a little slower than some players would care for, generally, the slot appeals to a wide variety of players – and it’s not hard to see why it’s become one of the developer’s more-popular releases.
Ainsworth may not be at the forefront of online slot development, but with the success of many of their offline titles they’re slowly “porting” many of their games over to HTML5 and Flash – so you can expect to see lots more games available online, soon!
About and History
Ainsworth Game Technology was founded in 1995 by Leonard Ainsworth, an entrepreneur who had already made a name for himself in the gaming industry through his involvement with Aristocrat and Amaya. With years of experience and, in his own words, “a keen eye for innovation,” Ainsworth Game Technology set out to create a company that would revolutionize how people experience gaming in land-based casinos and online.
AGT’s early years focused on developing high-end gaming machines for brick-and-mortar casinos. The company’s flagship product, the Ambassador model of gaming terminals, quickly gained popularity among players and casino operators, thanks to its cutting-edge design and immersive gameplay.
As the gaming industry evolved, Ainsworth Game Technology recognized the importance of adapting to the digital age. In 2013, the company decided to transition its games to HTML5 format, enabling them to be seamlessly integrated into online casinos. This move allowed AGT to tap into the growing online gaming market and expand its reach to a global audience.
While Ainsworth is primarily known for its slot machines and poker games, its portfolio showcases a commitment to delivering engaging and entertaining experiences for all players. Classic titles like Barnyard Bonanza, Winning Wolf, Thunder Cash, and Pure Platinum have become fan favorites thanks to their unique themes, immersive gameplay, and potential for big wins.
Unfortunately, the provider – and its software – are still pretty hard to find online. Ainsworth Game Technology makes solid products; there’s no denying that. However, they appear to have struggled to compete against larger software provider companies like Nolimit City and Light and Wonder.
Titles like Barnyard Bonanza and Mustang Money would probably do well if rolled out globally online. For now, though, they remain hard to find, and the provider has more work to do pivoting away from the land-based market and getting their games live at casino sites.
Ainsworth may not be at the forefront of online slot development. Still, with the success of many of their offline titles, they’re slowly “porting” many of their games over to HTML5 and Flash – so you can expect to see lots more games available online soon!
User Comments
Here’s a handy comment from a forum member, Simmo!, who clears up a common misconception about AGT:
“Aristocrat is an Aussie land-based slot game developer, and Game Account and Next Gen develop the online versions, presumably under license. Ainsworth is totally separate but was set up by Len Ainsworth, who, perhaps not surprisingly, founded Aristocrat before that. The similarities are somewhat uncanny, to say the least, lol.”
In another thread, found here, Casinomeister members debate the “poor performance” of SG Digital (Light and Wonder) and AGT games. However, we should point out that this is speculation – but an interesting read nonetheless.
Pros
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Considerable win potential in many of their slots
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Most games contain unique bonus features
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Games tend to run, and render well - even on mobile devices
Cons
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Many of their games are quite high-variance
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Visually, their games aren’t always on-par with those from other developers
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Small game selection