Playtech Review
By Dirk Smit
Verdict
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.
Playtech is currently one of the biggest software providers in the world, boasting a workforce of over 5,000 employees and offices in 17 countries. They started – pretty small – back in 1999 in a tiny office in Tartu, Estonia. They launched their first casino pretty soon after that – in 2001 – and have been growing steadily. Today, Playtech games and Playtech slots are found worldwide, and they’re licensed by major regulators like the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). One of the ways they’ve managed to become such a significant player is through their acquisitions and integrations of smaller game providers. This includes the likes of Ash Gaming, PTTS, Quickspin, Virtue Fusion, Eyecon, and Mobenga. These acquisitions enabled them to enjoy exponential growth in the last decade, and it’s not surprising that you’ll find their casino games, jackpot games, and slot games at online casinos worldwide. Playtech software powers some of the best UK online casinos, and the game provider has fingers in almost all online gambling pies you can imagine. There are now over 650 different Playtech games, including progressive jackpots, video slots, branded games, live Roulette, casino games, bingo, lottery games, scratchcards, and everything in between. Not to mention the large amount of land-based products they develop: cabinets (Video Lottery Terminals or VLTs), tablets, and various cost-effective PC-supported solutions to fit the needs of any land-based operator, be it pubs, restaurants, bingo halls, arcades, betting shops, and even full-blown land-based casinos. That is, of course, not only great for their shareholders but also benefits their player base, as they cover all areas with various high-quality products, meaning more variety and choice. In business terms, they are steady as a rock and will probably be around for a long time simply because they have implemented a winning business strategy: the strength of the combined force. However, while the online casino provider will generally not cause you any problems, here at Casinomeister, we have experienced issues with Playtech online casino sites; see the foreword from Casinomeister himself below to learn more.
Playtech List Of Casinos
Cherry Fiesta Casino
Will rip you off in a heart beat
Problem gamblers from the UK is their target player
Ladbrokes
Fleeces problem gamblers
Avoid this ethically challenged fleecing machine at all costs
Foreword From Casinomeister Himself
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 hated the folks there. 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 several Playtech casinos. They didn’t like what I had to say and sent me a seriously worded letter from their lawyers. No worries, I changed the text a little – giving them some wiggle room – but I stuck to my guns. Their operations in the early 2000s were so bad that we only included a couple of Playtech-powered online casinos in the Accredited section, like Omni Casino. But even so, in 2007, I was introduced to their new CEO, Mor Weizer, a nice guy. We have sat down several times since then and talked about what’s been going on in the industry regarding 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 32 Vegas (ripped off the 32Red name – and were 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 was 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? Interestingly, at most iGaming exhibitions, Playtech usually has the largest stand – two stories, city block-wide, with 200 employees loitering around. But as for a player’s favorite, not so much. Smaller operations seem to curb more favor. Size isn’t everything you know!
Playtech Casinos: The Software Platform
They offer HTML5 casino games today despite being a “late arrival.” This means that today, you can enjoy Playtech slots, casino games, and live dealer games from both desktop and mobile devices. Their software is available as a complete business solution – both instant play and/or download – or through a multi-platform integration, per game or in batches.
Playtech Slots & Playtech Games
As stated above, the range of games is very broad, and ignoring the land-based casino games, there are still hundreds of titles from the game provider you’ll find online. This includes many casino table games like Roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and bonus table games, along with many slots. You’ll find slots based on well-known characters like King Kong DC Comics, and even new players may recognize iconic titles like Great Blue and Gladiator: Road To Rome. Please note: everything they produced before they started acquiring smaller studios – save for a few titles like Great Blue and the no longer existing Marvel Jackpot Games (they have been rebranded to the ‘Age of Gods’ series – have the old clunky look and feel to them. That’s also why you may see several games below from game providers like Ash Gaming and BGO Studios; they’re technically Playtech’s games, however. With so many games available worldwide, we will focus on their most played games below video slots.
Buffalo Blitz: Like All The Games Following Raging Rhino… But Worth Playing
Buffalo Blitz is a slot game that takes you to the American Plains. The game features six reels and offers 4096 ways to win. With an RTP of 95.96%, it’s a game proven to be one of Playtech’s most popular; it’s even been made into a live casino game, Buffalo Blitz Live! While it’s a bit of a Raging Rhino copy, Playtech has tried to put its own spin on things, and it’s a high-variance machine, so don’t expect winning spins that often! The free spins bonus, however, can produce some mega wins thanks to the multiplying wilds – so keep an eye out for those scatter symbols in the base game!
Kingdom’s Rise: Guardians of the Abyss
Kingdom’s Rise: Guardians of the Abyss is a slot game that takes you on a mythical journey. Launched in 2019, this game is a part of Playtech’s Kingdom’s Rise franchise. With five reels and 25 paylines, it’s designed for those who love fantasy themes. The game’s RTP ranges from 92.10% to 96.09%, so, where possible, try to play at a casino offering the slot’s highest RTP version. There are a couple of pretty decent bonuses and features, and you can win up to 1,250X your bet on each spin – so there are some decent winnings to be had! If you’re an MMORPG or fantasy themes fan, this slot will be right up your alley.
The Matrix: One Of The Most Iconic Playtech Slots
Based on the iconic 1999 sci-fi film, The Matrix slot brings the movie’s cyberpunk aesthetic to the reels. With 50 paylines and two types of wilds, you can hack into the Matrix and trigger one of two free spin modes. The first mode awards you eight free spins with extra Agent Smith symbols. The second bonus is unlimited free spins with Sentinel wilds. The Matrix is worth checking out if you like big cash prizes, fast-paced action, and free spins. It’s available at all the best Playtech casinos, so you shouldn’t have problems finding it online.
Green Lantern:
Playtech’s games are generally pretty good – but if you like DC Comics, you’ll love Green Lantern. Built around a five-reel, three-row format, this comic book-inspired slot offers tons of action. With missions to choose from, scatters that award ten free spins, and 243 ways to win, you’ll feel like Hal Jordan himself battling Sinestro and the forces of evil. The comic book art style also transports you to the DC universe, so it’s easy to see why the game became so popular with players.
Jungle Giants: A Familiar Theme
Jungle Giants is a slot that brings the wilderness to your screen. Released in 2017, this game features 50 paylines and five reels. The game’s RTP is 95.02%, and it offers a maximum win of 1,000x your stake, so it’s not the best game in terms of payout potential – but for new players, it’s excellent. The slot looks excellent – Playtech has come a long way since the days of Great Blue – and there are some decent bonuses and features, including free spins and wild modifiers. The soundtrack also gets a special mention as the atmospheric jungle drums make the playing experience!
American Dad: Great Bonus Features
Get ready for irreverent, satirical humor based on the hit adult cartoon in this slot. Featuring all your favorite characters like Stan, Roger the Alien, and Klaus the Goldfish, American Dad serves up patriotic parody along with excellent bonus features. With a 96.1% RTP and challenges like Wheel of Fortune spins and Stan’s free spins, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank! American Dad is undoubtedly one of Playtech’s most successful releases, and while it’s not the most straightforward game to find online, it’s worth a play if you can find it.
Playtech Progressive Slot Games
Regarding progressive jackpot slots, Playtech is one name you can’t ignore. They helped pioneer the jackpot slots industry and continue to offer some of the largest pooled prize pots in the industry, with life-changing sums waiting to be won. Their progressive network links slot games together across multiple casinos, combining small contributions from each player into enormous jackpot totals. Their most well-known progressive jackpot series is, without a doubt, Age of the Gods. This includes numerous spin-offs like Age of the Gods: Extra Power, Age of the Gods: Super Power, and Age of the Gods: Ultimate Power – all sharing the same progressive jackpot. By the way, this jackpot is, on average, worth a whopping $1,000,000 when it’s won! Another well-known Playtech progressive is Beach Life. This sunny, seaside-inspired video slot features free spins and two bonus games. However, the main attraction is the tropical-themed jackpot. It’s one of Playtech’s best-paying progressive jackpots, with the average jackpot win – in EUR – €2,552,889! For comic book fans, Playtech’s series of DC-branded slots like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman link into the DC Super Heroes Progressive Jackpot. Bursting with action and featuring heroic characters, these games are ideal for Marvel fans – and you’ll also find other titles like Gladiator, Everybody’s Jackpot, Cat in Vegas, Fruit Mania, and Gold Rally.
Playtech’s Live Casino
Playtech’s live dealer casino is one of the largest live iGaming products in European and Asian markets. They have been somewhat of a pioneer in this area, and, along with NetEnt and Evolution (previously Evolution Gaming), they were the first major software providers to begin offering live dealer games. Their product is fantastic, and they offer dedicated tables with native-speaking dealers for the Italian, Spanish, Romanian, and UK markets. They also boast ‘the largest next generation Live Casino,’ which opened in Riga, Latvia – in February 2017. The complex measures 8500 square meters and hosts live dealer games 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Their live casino platform is top-notch, offering a range of classic games like Blackjack, Baccarat, and Roulette, along with innovative variants like Unlimited Blackjack and Prestige Roulette. They’ve also taken a leaf from Evolution’s book by offering game show titles – and, more recently, live slots, Buffalo Blitz Live being their first. Tech-wise, they may not quite be up there with Evolution, but they’re close. They use state-of-the-art HD cameras for streaming, which means you get crystal-clear visuals, and their streaming quality is fantastic. Unlike many live dealer casino providers, Playtech is also beginning to expand its live product to the US. At the time of writing, they’re taking their live dealer studios to Michigan and New Jersey. They’re planning to offer live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, and they’re even bringing their Quantum Roulette. It’s a solid product, and they hold a significant market share, so expect to see them entering more new markets.
Playtech’s Acquisitions
Playtech has been on a strategic acquisition spree over the years, buying out several smaller game studios and expanding its portfolio and market reach. One of the earliest notable acquisitions was in October 2008, when Playtech acquired private assets from its founder, Teddy Sagi, for $250 million. In March 2011, they bought PT Turnkey Services from Teddy Sagi for £125 million, and two years later, they acquired PokerStrategy.com, one of the world’s largest online poker communities with almost 7 million users, for a whopping $49.2 million. The company continued diversifying its portfolio by acquiring Aristocrat Lotteries in September 2014 for €10.5 million. In 2015, they decided to go ahead and purchase YoYo Games, the developers behind GameMaker Studio, for £10.65 million. However, in January 2021, they sold YoYo Games for $10. According to Playtech, this was “part of our divestment strategy.” Playtech made major headlines in May 2016 when they acquired Swedish slots Quickspin. The deal was worth €24 million initially, with further payments to come. However, Quickspin retained autonomy over development and continued to make games under their brand. Later that year, Playtech also acquired Best Gaming Technology for €138 million, furthering Playtech’s reach in the sports betting industry. Financial services also caught Playtech’s eye. In November 2016, they acquired CFH Group, a prime broker, and BetBuddy, a responsible gambling analytics company. The latter acquisition aimed to integrate BetBuddy’s behavioral identification software into Playtech’s player management systems. Playtech has made several acquisitions since then, including buying a 70.6% stake in Italian betting and gaming firm Snaitech for €291 million, and the company also owns other software providers, including Eyecon and Ash Gaming. Playtech is undoubtedly one of the biggest gambling companies with a gigantic market reach.
User Comments
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Additional Information On Playtech Games
Below is information from our old Playtech review. It is not all roses and sunshine, though: in the past, Playtech has proven relatively unresponsive and lacking in enforcing common sense and fair policy awareness into some of their licensees, which is not only a shame overall but, in some cases, has seen outrageous results for the poor players who got to experience their Progressive Jackpot Fiasco first hand, as you can read here: Playtech Progressive Jackpot Scandal Many Accredited Casinomeister casinos offer Playtech’s games but just make sure to avoid the ones listed in the ‘Jackpot Scandal’ link above. Thankfully, these are mainly stand-alone Playtech casinos anyway.
Company Information
Pros
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Games available in almost every Country and Jurisdiction
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Wide range of high quality Games
Cons
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Some licensees withhold or stall Progressive Jackpot winnings
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Often associated with Rogue Operators
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