Online Casino Software
Online casino software is the backbone of any online casino — it’s what powers the platform and brings all your favorite games to life. Think of it as a set of programs that ensure the games you play are fair and everything renders well.
Yet, not all casino software is created equal — some casino games may malfunction or, worse, be rigged.
That’s where the following page comes in to help you become well-versed in gambling software, so you’ll make the right call on where and what (not) to play.
Reviews of Casino Software Providers
Yggdrasil Gaming
8
1519
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I haven’t had too much experience with Yggdrasil, but they get decent reviews and comments from our members. A number of our members stated it was in their top three choices of best online casino software. You can check that thread out here: What is your Favorite Online Gaming Software? Pick three!
Slotmill
9
47
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Slotmill is one of the few gems out there when it comes to online slots. They are a relatively young company, but are run by some of the most experienced people in the business. They strive to have the highest RTP for available to players – which is really refreshing. I am looking forward to seeing Slotmill grow over the upcoming years.
SG Gaming
8
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Scientific Games produces some of my favorite games – specifically those that were produced via WMS – i.e. Colossal Reels like Spartacus, Bruce Lee, Bierhaus, and then the land based Willy Wonka. That is a magnificent game. This is sold as a rock company with a terrific creative force behind it.
Relax Gaming
8
1293
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Relax Gaming is known for developing highly volatile games. Their math models are often quite brutal. This means you should be careful when playing; it’s not uncommon to go hundreds of spins without hitting a bonus round.
On the flip side, when you do trigger bonuses and features in their games, you can often walk away with some mega wins. We regularly see big wins posted in the forums! Don’t forget; you can try out all Relax Gaming games in demo mode. This allows you to try them out in free-play mode so you can see how everything works without risking any of your own money!
Quickspin
8.5
1532
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Quickspin has created a number of slots that I enjoy personally. Northern Sky for one – there is a lot of talent at work on this one. Very subtle animations, sounds, and the artwork is superb. Volcano Riches is another – I’m a sucker for hula girls and tiki heads I guess. It’s a shame they are primarily focused on slots and haven’t delved into Video Poker at all – but their primary customer base is in Europe, so there ya go.
Pragmatic Play
8.1
2302
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Playtech
6
1067
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Playtech and I go way back. Some folks have thought that I don’t like Playtech – and years ago there was a myth circulating that I really didn’t like Playtech and the folks there. Actually, it was the opposite – I thought I had a pretty good relationship with them. We hit a speed bump in 2004 when I published an article that was very critical of their operations, and that players were not safe playing at a number of casinos. They didn’t like what I had to say and sent me a seriously worded letter from their lawyers. No worries there, I changed the text a little – giving them some wiggle room – but I stuck to my guns. Their operations in the early 2000s were pretty bad. So bad that we only included a couple of casinos in the Accredited section like Omni Casino. But even so, in 2007 I was introduced to their new CEO Mor Weizer, who is a really nice guy. We have sat down a number of times since then and talked about what’s been going on in the industry RE: player issues. Of course since then, Playtech has become a massive company and they consider themselves strictly a software provider with a”hands off” attitude towards their clients. The problem with that is that there have been some really bad operations – for example the old CPays group of casinos that included 32Vegas (ripped off the 32Red name – and were sued sued successfully by 32Red Plc), and the notorious Joyland casino which took about half of a player’s $4.1 million jackpot for bogus reasons. This group of casinos were purchased by William Hill in 2009. For the past few years, they still have operators who have withdrawal limits on their progressive jackpots. And until Playtech takes the bull by the horns and insists that their operators drop this nefarious term, will I be able to increase their score at Casinomeister. It’s interesting to note that at most i-Gaming exhibitions, Playtech usually has the largest stand – two stories, city block wide, 200 employees loitering around. But as for a player favorite, not so much. Smaller operations seem to curb more favor. Size isn’t everything y’know.
Play’n GO
7.8
434
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I have had very little contact with this provider – if any at all. The games seem pretty good though. But they didn’t do themselves any favors with Moon Princess though.
Novomatic
7
680
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Greentube – or Novomatic is solid as a rock when it comes to its presence in the industry. I have been to the Greentube offices in Vienna – very impressive. And they are available at many casinos. One thing to be aware of, make sure the casino that hosts Novomatic games is properly licensed in the EU or UK. For whatever reason, these games seem to be a target of software pirates, and there have been a number of casinos that have ripped off these games and are hosting them on their own server.
Nolimit City
8.5
1506
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Actually they seem to be pretty good. Their games are innovative and nicely designed. So far they’ve been getting a lot of attention in the forum. There are some threads to check out to include: Punk Rocker by NoLimit City
NextGen Gaming
8.8
631
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Nextgen has always been one of my favorites. They were one of my first choices to choose to create the Casinomeister slot – which is still a really cool game even after being online for ten years. But besides this, they get some pretty good reviews in our forum. It’s a shame that they have not tackled the video poker realm.
Microgaming
21
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One of the first casinos listed at Casinomeister was a Microgaming casino in 1998. The folks at Microgaming and Casinomeister have always had a pretty good relationship over the years. Our team met their CEO and administrative staff in London in January 2001. They have a strong ethical approach to gaming and always strive to do the right thing. Back in the day, when they were strictly a downloadable casino, they had a very close relationship with their operators. If things went awry with any of their operators, they could step in and make corrections. But as the years went by, they had to step back a little and take the stance of being the software provider. A few years ago, they invited the Casinomeister himself and several other persons directly involved with players to their offices in the Isle of Man, where the day was spent discussing this thread: Meeting with Microgaming: What do players want? That was in 2010; unfortunately, the business has changed a bit. For various reasons, most software companies have distanced themselves from player communities like Casinomeister. We’d love to see this change, and it would be great to see them getting involved again like they used to. Microgaming has some of the best games – period. Their video poker releases are second to none, and their slots can be just as great. We feel they would benefit from being more involved with our community.
Software Providers’ Role in the Evolution of Online Gambling
No software, no casino — it’s that simple. Naturally, as the software gets better, so does the whole online gambling experience. We’ve been there to see this evolution with our own eyes, and now we’re here to tell the story.
Evolution of Casino Software: From the 90s to Today
Back in the day, when pioneering casino software developers such as Microgaming and Realtime Gaming were just entering the scene in the 90s, the online gambling world was truly something else. The goal was to simply mimic the feel of real casinos, so nobody really cared about graphics at the time. The big deal was being able to pull the lever from your couch — and that was enough for most players.
But nobody expected things to stay still for long. The software quickly went from meh to amazing. As we all switched from dial-up modems to high-speed internet, casino software providers followed suit. They started rolling out polished and truly easy-on-the-eyes games that gave players a new level of excitement.
How Online Casino Software Providers Expanded the Industry
On top of kicking off the era of online casino gaming, the trailblazer software providers made another move that pushed the industry forward.
Around the late 90s and early days of the 21st century, online gaming software giants were quick to take the bull by the horns and launch their own casinos. Microgaming kicked off Gamingclub.com in 1996, Playtech launched Clubdice in 2001 (they’ve been pretty loud about it on our forum), Cryptologic rolled out Intercasino, and NetEnt created Casinodomain.com.
At the time, casino licensing jurisdictions were just brought into play, allowing both the software and online casinos to operate legally and expand globally. Since more people wanted to get their hands in the pie, software companies began to create more casinos and license them out, and within a few years we’ve seen more than 3000 casinos pop up like puddles after the rain.
Why Online Casino Software Providers Matter to Players
Software for online casinos are the backbone of a player’s gaming experience — without solid software providers, even the best online casinos would fall flat.
Now, let’s unpack what’s the big deal with casino software solutions.
Game Variety and Quality
Game variety and quality are what separate a decent software provider from a disappointing one. Respectable casino gaming software providers like PragmaticPlay hold all the cards together — they pack casinos with innovative slots, classic table games, and authentic live dealer experiences.
Fairness and Security
The best casino software providers use random number generators (RNGs) to keep gameplay fair and square, and submit their games to eCOGRA for full-on auditing and certification. Plus, they also go through a rigorous vetting process to obtain a valid license — another key piece in the fairness puzzle.
Security is a must, too. Reputable software providers make sure your personal data and transactions are locked down tight by using SSL encryption and often throw in multi-factor authentication (MFA) for extra safety.
User Experience and Mobile Gaming
Nowadays, the majority of players find mobile responsiveness a must-have feature for their gaming experience. The same goes for quick load time and cutting-edge graphics. Top-tier providers aren’t blind to players’ expectations. That’s why they make it a point to prioritize delivering smooth gameplay across devices, stunning graphics, and instant load speeds.
Bonuses and Promotions Tied to Software Providers
It’s not rare to see free spins or cashback deals bound to specific casino gaming software. But why is this a big deal for players? Well, this narrows down the options, especially if you’re on the fence about where to play. When extra perks and high-quality games go hand in hand, finding the right spot to stake your money doesn’t get much easier.
What to Look for in an Online Casino Software Provider
Casino software sets the tone for your entire gaming experience. But, choosing the right casino software provider is no small feat, especially if you’re just taking your first spin.
Variety of Platforms
Strong software providers deliver a varied mix of games, from slots and video poker to table games. But some big names, like Evolution Gaming, are known for honing in on a single game type. If you’re into live casino games, Evolution Gaming is a software provider that can meet your needs well. So, when deciding what to go for, knowing what you want is the only thing that matters.
If you’re not sure, though, it’s generally a good idea to pick a provider that has a little bit of everything. This matters even more if you’re just getting your feet wet in online gaming.
Aesthetics, Innovation, and Mobile-Optimization
You can’t go wrong with online casino software providers that lead with forward-thinking design and top-notch game performance. Some, such as BetSoft and Yggdrasil, aim to captivate with storylines, while others, including Play’n GO and Novomatic, try to wow players with unique game mechanics. The takeaway: focus on things you can’t do without.
Don’t forget about the option to play your favorite titles on the go. If a gambling software doesn’t cater to mobile players in today’s world, they’re completely missing the mark.
Transparency and Licensing
Transparency and fairness are basically non-negotiable when looking for providers that are worth your time. A decent casino software comes equipped with RNG to deliver fair and unbiased outcomes. On top of that, providers with nothing to hide will always keep things honest by showing the RTP rates for their games.
Another major point you shouldn’t ignore is software provider licensing — it’s just as important as an online casino platform license if you don’t want to flush your money away. Unlicensed software is always a red flag, and no respectable online casino would ever partner with them. So, double alarm bells if you ever come across something like this.
Casino Game Software and Responsible Gambling
Casino game software is critical in driving responsible gambling practices forward. That’s why big-name providers fully commit to equipping their games with problem gambling prevention tools — from reality checks and self-exclusion, to age-restrictions that allow only players of legal gambling age to join the action. On top of that, some take the responsible gaming concept to heart in a big way by being pretty loud about staying safe on their websites and social media, too.
The provably fair approach is also a big deal for some reputable software providers, such as BGaming, Betsolutions, and SmartSoft Gaming. By producing games based on provably fair algorithms, these providers let players confirm that every result is truly random.
Emerging Trends in Online Gambling Software
There’s no pause button in the industry of casino game software. Providers are in constant motion to keep up with the times and keep players coming back for more.
Let’s unpack some of the big trends shaping where the online gambling software is heading.
Technological Advancements in Casino Gaming Software
In the online gaming industry, personalized experience is king. AI is already being used for that purpose as we speak. BGaming, for example, has already used AI to fine-tune some of its games to the players’ unique preferences. With each step into tomorrow, we’re probably about to see even more mind-blowing developments. Some predict games molded to your skill, in-game bonuses based on your liking, and more. Remains to be seen.
VR technology has been a hot topic for a while now, too. Adoption is still a bit on the slow side for now, but as VR tech makes its debut we’ll be looking at a whole new way of playing. Experts promise the real feel of a brick-and-mortar casino as you kick your feet up on the couch. We’ll just have to wait and see if these predictions will come true.
The Rise of Multi-Provider Online Casino Platforms
Although one may expect that long are the days when you’d head over to a casino and find Microgaming titles or in-house brand titles only, some online gambling companies are still operating like it’s 1999. That’s something everyone in the industry expects to see eliminated as we move forward. No player wants to hop from one casino to another just because their pick failed to deliver a rich and diverse lineup of games. That’s as much fun as watching paint dry, and it’s only a matter of time before we see this practice extinct.
Until that happens, you can always point your browser to our casino reviews to see which places (not) to avoid.
Finding the Best Casino Software for Your Needs
No player enjoys shovelware software, and that’s just common sense. But steering clear from clunky games doesn’t mean the software provider will tick all your boxes. To find the best casino software for your needs, you’ll still need to keep in mind a handful of things, including:
- The quality of software,
- The variety of games,
- Transparency, and
- Security measures.
For the finishing touch, you can always rely on our no-gimmicks, no-spin casino software reviews for the full breakdown of each provider.
FAQ about Casino Software
Are online casino software providers important to players?
Casino software providers are pretty important to players, though it may not seem like a big deal to everyone at first. But since the software that ends up delivered to your device affects everything from the bonuses you claim and the fairness of the game you picked to the quality of your gameplay — we’d say players should definitely care about software providers.
What software do online casinos use?
Online casinos typically power their portfolio with licensed software, most commonly from companies such as Playtech, NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, Evolution, Red Tiger Gaming, and the like. If a casino partners with an unlicensed and shady software provider, that’s a sign to make a quick getaway from there.
Do online casinos use blockchain?
Not all online casinos use blockchain technology, but the number of ones that do increases as we speak. They typically fall under the category of
Do online casinos use AI?
Quite a few online casinos have already implemented AI in their processes. If you’ve spent just a couple of days playing, you must have had an interaction with a chatbot. That’s AI, right there. Casinos also use AI to build a totally personalized experience by giving you game recommendations based on your favorite picks.
Are custom casino games legit?
This one’s hard to respond with a clear-cut yes or no. While the in-house software does promise a unique gaming experience (after all, you get to play titles you can’t find elsewhere), it leaves too much wiggle room for tampering. The clearly shown payout information could be a sign that they’re doing everything by the book, but it’s not a foolproof way to guarantee that everything’s legit.
