Game providers – these companies create online casino games
”People sometimes mistakenly believe that casino games are created by the casino. This is not true. Game providers develop the software.”
A few game providers traditionally dominate the online gambling market. Some of these providers have a history in making offline games and casino machines, while others focus exclusively on the online market.
Some very popular software providers include Big Time Gaming, Red Tiger Gaming, Relax Gaming, Quickspin, Play’n Go, Thunderkick, Microgaming, Betsoft, WMS, NetEnt, IGT, EGT, Merkur, AristoCrat, Playtech, Realtime Gaming, and Greentube (Novomatic). Additionally, there are a few upcoming brands that are also doing very well.
Some of my favorite new game providers are Push Gaming, Nolimitcity, and Hacksaw Gaming.
In this article, I will explain what game providers do, what game providers there are, and which game providers offer which games.
Reliable online casinos that offer software by many providers
In the table below you will find some reliable online casinos that offer games by a lot of popular games providers. Sign up your account at any of these reliable casinos and enjoy generous welcome offers.
You can use your welcome offer to explore games by all the available game providers in the casino.
Why are game providers a thing?
Game providers are responsible for creating and developing new online casino games. They do this in their own game studios. While game providers are found worldwide, many have a strong history in Europe.
Within these studios, creative teams made up of designers, artists, developers, testers, project managers, and more collaborate to produce innovative new games. These games are then made available in all online casinos and on platforms that partner with the game provider.
Some casinos offer a wide range of games from different providers. For instance, at Videoslots.com, you can find games from over 60 different game providers. On the other hand, some casinos focus exclusively on games from specific providers, such as Playtech or NetEnt.
By creating popular online casino games, game providers can earn money and attract new players to their games.
How do software studio’s make money?
Of course, all businesses need to make money to pay the bills and stay innovative. Game providers earn their money by taking a percentage of the revenue that an online casino makes from their games. This commission typically ranges from 5% to 10% of the gaming revenue.
For example, let’s say a game provider charges a 6% commission for all casinos that offer their games. If players at a certain casino bet a total of €5000, and the software returns €4600, the casino makes a net profit of €400. The software provider then takes a 6% commission on the €400 profit, which amounts to €24.
While €24 might not seem like much, game providers often have their games in thousands of online casinos. This widespread presence allows them to earn significant amounts of money over time.
Some of the best game providers of the moment
You might think? What are the best game providers? Well, when we look at the total portfolio of games we can say there are a few very large ones. The most well-known and popular are the games by NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n Go and Playtech. Below we will explain what makes each game provider unique.
1. NetEnt
NetEnt Gaming is the most well-known provider in the online gambling market. NetEnt offers a game portfolio of over 200 slots, all of which work great on both mobile and desktop devices. In 2014, NetEnt processed a record-breaking 21.4 billion gaming transactions.
Some of the most popular games by NetEnt include Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Twin Spin, and Dead or Alive. NetEnt games are available in almost all top online casinos around the world. Currently, NetEnt is the industry leader, employing a total of 700 talents to maintain its top position.
While I enjoy most NetEnt games, I must admit that more and more providers are reaching the quality that NetEnt offers.
2. Microgaming
Another very popular game provider is Microgaming. In fact, Microgaming is one of the biggest suppliers in the industry. They offer a platform with over 150 different casino games, all of which work well on various devices. Notably, their game The Dark Knight Rises was the world’s first online slot developed for the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch.
Microgaming has won over 10 international awards and set multiple records for online jackpots. Some of their most popular games include Avalon II, Terminator 2, Jurassic World, the Playboy Online Slot, Thunderstruck II, and Immortal Romance.
3. Play’n Go
In the last few years, Play’n Go has become one of the most innovative and exciting game providers in the iGaming industry. Currently, Play’n Go offers over a hundred top-quality video slot games, including some very popular titles.
Notable games such as Book of Dead, Rise of Olympus, and Reactoonz are considered some of the most popular video slots today. With potential huge payouts, exciting features, and great animations, Play’n Go’s games can easily compete with recent offerings from other top players in the industry.
Additionally, Play’n Go is known for creating games that work perfectly on mobile devices, enhancing the gaming experience for players on the go.
4. Playtech
Playtech is also one of the giants in the online game software industry. They offer a game portfolio with over 600 titles, including slots, bingo games, virtual sports games, poker games, sports games, live dealer games, lottery games, table games, fixed odds games, and more.
Playtech is HTML5 ready, making most of its games available on both desktop and mobile devices. Some of Playtech’s most popular games are collaborations with other brands, including Marvel, HBO, NBC Universal, MGM, and more. Popular titles include Top Gun, Rocky, Gladiator, White King, King Kong, Angel or Devil, Iron Man, X-Men, and Pink Panther.
Other game studio’s that are gaining more traction
Besides these three large game providers there are many other smaller game studios. Although most are way smaller it doesn’t say the game are less good.
As stated, there are a few very good new game studios that make very exciting and popular casino games. Some of my favourite new game providers are Quickspin, Big Time Gaming, Thunderkick and Red Tiger Gaming. Why? Let me explain!
5. Quickspin
Quickspin is an award-winning Swedish game studio founded in 2011. Known for developing high-quality video slots for the online gambling industry, Quickspin also creates games for free-to-play and social platforms. The team at Quickspin has a special passion for slots, consistently bringing innovative features and games to the market. Some of Quickspin’s most popular titles are Fairy Gate, Mayana, Mighty Arthur, The Wild Chase, and Spinions.
6. Big Time Gaming
Big Time Gaming was founded in 2011. Initially, the company had a small group of developers dedicated to bringing awesome games to the online casino world. By 2018, the company had grown into a professional and respected game provider. Big Time Gaming holds several very popular casino slots, including Bonanza, White Rabbit, and Danger High Voltage. These games are well-known for delivering extreme payouts, including 15,000x bonus rounds.
7. Thunderkick
Thunderkick was founded in Stockholm in 2012 by a group of experienced individuals from the iGaming industry. From day one, Thunderkick has focused on creating high-quality video slot games for both desktop and mobile markets, achieving notable success. Today, Thunderkick offers multiple popular video slot titles, including Fruit Warp, Pink Elephants, and The Falcon Huntress. Their portfolio also includes many new and lesser-known games, such as Wild Heist at Peacock Manor and Yeti Battle of Greenhat Peak, which combine beautiful animations with exciting features and bonuses.
8. Red Tiger Gaming
Red Tiger Gaming was established in 2014 by a team of experienced individuals with a long history in the iGaming industry. The team has extensive experience in casino game development in both Asia and Europe. Red Tiger Gaming’s team includes graphic developers, mathematicians, graphic designers, software developers, gambling experts, audio engineers, account managers, and psychologists. This diverse team works tirelessly to create games that enhance the player experience. Some of Red Tiger Gaming’s most popular casino games are Totem Lightning, Lucky Wizard, Gems Gone Wild, Rainbow Jackpots, and Stage 888.
Populair game providers you might know from the ”real” casino
Besides the Top and Upcoming game providers we also made a short list of the most popular game providers that moved there top games from offline casinos to the internet. In this list you will find Novomatic, Merkur Gaming, WMS and Aristocrat.
9. Novomatic
Novomatic Group is one of Europe’s largest casino companies. It owns multiple land-based casinos in Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria. Additionally, Novomatic develops its own online games and game machines. The company is also active in the sports betting market. Employing over 25,000 people worldwide, Novomatic Group reported a revenue of 2.3 billion euros in 2016. Novomatic’s software is available in 2,100 gaming facilities worldwide. Some of its most iconic games are Lucky Lady’s Charm, The Book of Ra (Deluxe), and Lord of the Ocean.
10. Merkur Gaming
Merkur Gaming operates on key principles: Innovation, Passion, and Tradition. As part of the Gauselmann Group, Merkur Gaming employs over 10,000 people in 40 different countries. In 2015, the group generated a volume of over 2.2 billion euros. Merkur Gaming combines constant innovation with experience and tradition, adhering to made-in-Germany quality standards, outstanding customer service, and a diverse product portfolio. Some of Merkur’s most popular games are Magic Mirror, Eye of Horus, Triple Chance, Wild Frog, and Jolly’s Cap.
11. WMS (Williams Interactive)
Williams Interactive (WMS) is a renowned developer of slot machines, casino software, and lottery terminals. WMS also excels in providing online casino operators with mobile and online games. Based in Chicago, Illinois, WMS Gaming is a subsidiary of WMS Industries, which was wholly acquired by Scientific Games Corporation in 2013. WMS games are known for paying out huge prizes and offering great bonus games. Some of the most popular titles by WMS include Zeus (3), Raging Rhino, The Wizard of Oz, Spartacus, Monopoly, Bruce Lee, Montezuma, Fire Queen, and Bier Haus.
12. ARISTOCRAT
Aristocrat was founded in 1953 and employs of 5.000 people worldwide. The company is an ASX100 listed company and a leading provider of gaming solutions. Aristocrat is licensed by 240 gaming jurisdictions worldwide and operated in 90 different countries. Aristocrat offers a diverse range of products and services, including electronic gaming machines, social gaming and casino management systems. Some of Aristocrat’s most popular games are Buffalo, Queen of the Nile, Mr. Cashman, Britney Spears, The Walking Dead, The Big Bang Theory and the African Big 5.
Best providers for live studio games
Since live casino games have become more and more popular in the recent years we have also made a list of the most popular live casino game providers. Below you will find a small list with our favourite live dealer game suppliers. If you like to get access to the biggest selection of live dealer games then I recommend signing up at LeoVegas. When you join today you will receive up to 50 free spins on sign up.
13. Evolution Gaming
The biggest name in the live dealer games industry is Evolution Gaming. Since 2006, this company has been revolutionizing the live casino industry, and with great success! In 2007, Evolution Gaming signed its first major deals with William Hill and Party Gaming, among others, and many online casinos followed suit. Nowadays, most online casinos offering live dealer games collaborate with Evolution Gaming to provide their players with the best selection of live dealer games, including Baccarat, Roulette, and Blackjack. Additionally, Evolution is known for its fantastic live game shows, such as Monopoly Live, Live Dream Catcher, Crazy Time, and many more.
14. Pragmatic Live
For several years now, Pragmatic Play has expanded its offerings beyond slots and entered into direct competition with Evolution. After Evolution acquired Ezugi and Netent Live, Pragmatic apparently felt it was time for a new competitor to emerge. Since then, the game provider has focused on creating excellent live casino games and live game shows. Currently, Pragmatic Live offers an impressive range of table games, including popular variants of Baccarat, Blackjack, and Roulette. In addition to table games, Pragmatic also offers various popular live game shows, such as Power Up Roulette, Boom City, Sweet Bonanza Candyland, Mega Wheel, and Snakes and Ladders.
15. Extreme Live Gaming
In 2013, Darwyn Palenzuela founded Extreme Live Gaming, which quickly grew and became part of the Novomatic Group in 2018. Extreme Live Gaming has a strong focus on delivering a unique live dealer casino experience by incorporating elements of slot games into their live dealer games. Some popular live dealer games even reference Novomatic’s top slot games like Book of Ra and Sizzling Hot. Another innovative game from Extreme is Golden Ball Roulette, where a player can decide where the ball enters the wheel from time to time. Like Evolution Gaming, Extreme Live Gaming is known for providing 24/7 streams, offering native-speaking dealers, and delivering top-notch games to people on their mobile devices.
Other game providers that you might encounter online
Below you will find a list of other game providers that are less well-known. If you want to try any of these providers I recommend signing up at LeoVegas and Videoslots.com. They offer games by almost all these game providers!
- 1×2 Gaming
- 2 by 2 Gaming
- 2By2
- Ainsworth
- Amatic
- Amaya
- Aristocrat
- Authentic Gaming
- Bally
- Bally Technologies
- Bally Wulff
- Barcrest
- Bet Digital
- Betdigital
- Betsoft Gaming
- Blueprint Gaming
- Booming Games
- Casino Technology
- Cayetano Games
- Chance Interactive
- Concept Gaming
- CORE Gaming
- CryptoLogic
- edict egaming
- ELK Studios
- Endorphina
- Evolution Gaming
- Extreme Live Gaming
- Ezugi
- Fantasma Games
- Felt Gaming
- Foxium
- Fuga Gaming
- Games Warehouse
- GamesLab
- GameVy
- Gamomat
- Genesis Games
- Genii
- Greentube
- IGT
- Inspired Entertainment
- Inspired Gaming
- Iron Dog Studio
- iSoftBet
- Just For The Win
- Konami
- Leander Games
- Lightning Box Games
- Magic Dreams
- Magnet Gaming
- Multislot
- Nektan
- NetEnt Live
- NextGen Gaming
- Nolimit
- NYX Gaming Group
- Old Skool Studios
- Openbet
- Play’n GO
- Playson
- Portomaso Gaming
- Pragmatic Play
- Push Gaming
- Rabcat
- Realistic
- Realistic Games
- Red Tiger
- Relax Gaming
- Rival
- Shuffle Master
- Side City
- Sigma Gaming
- Skillz Gaming
- Skillzzgaming
- Stakelogic
- Sunfox Games
- Thunderkick
- Wagermill
- Yggdrasil Gaming
Latest reviews
Recommended Casinos