Best casino software providers at UK casinos

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Best casino software providers at UK casinos
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The iGaming industry is one fuelled by innovation, and the pool of talented software providers and developers continues to grow every year.

The following casino software providers are the ones we have identified as the best on the market right now. 

  1. Play’n GO
  2. Evolution
  3. Pragmatic Play
  4. Relax Gaming
  5. Playtech
  6. Games Global/Microgaming
  7. NetEnt
  8. BetSoft
  9. Yggdrasil
  10. Quickspin

Most popular casino software providers

Let’s take a more detailed look at the ten most popular casino software providers working in the UK right now.

1. Play’n GO

  • Company Established: 2005 
  • Portfolio: Slots
  • Overall gaming experience: Play’n Go is one of the industry’s most popular developers and is a staple of any good online slot lobby. The studio is famous for titles like Book of Dead and Reactoonz, with the ‘Book of’ mechanic becoming one of the most successful in online slot history. Its slots are all stylishly designed, often exploring a range of different themes and genres and providing excellent mobile gameplay options. 
  • Themes: Varied
  • Top Games: Book of Dead, Reactoonz, Fire Joker, Hugo, Honey Rush, Moon Princess. 

Play’n GO is our pick for top software provider for a number of reasons. The staying power and influence of its games is huge, with the ‘Book of’ gaming mechanics becoming one of the most popular in the industry today. The developer also continues to deliver top-quality slots each and every month, constantly finding new ways to engage with its players. 

2. Evolution 

  • Company Established: 2006 
  • Portfolio: Live Casino
  • Overall gaming experience: Evolution is seen as the industry standard-bearer for live casino games. Not only does the studio develop traditional casino games like baccarat, roulette, and blackjack, but it also develops TV-show-style games like Dream Catcher, Monopoly Live, and Funky Time. 
  • Themes: Varies
  • Top Games: Lightning Roulette, Dream Catcher, Crazy Time, Monopoly Live, Infinite Blackjack 

No developer comes close to Evolution when it comes to live-casino software. The provider’s name is instantly associated with quality and has become the benchmark by which all other live casino developers measure themselves. 

3. Pragmatic Play 

  • Company Established: 2015
  • Portfolio: Slots, Live Casino
  • Overall gaming experience: Pragmatic Play is an extremely active developer. While it specialises in online slots, releasing around eight new titles a month, it also has a live casino range, with classic casino titles sitting alongside innovative game-show and slot-inspired live casino products. Its most popular slots include titles like The Dog House, Wolf Gold, Chilli Heat, and the Big Bass Bonanza series. 
  • Themes: Varies
  • Top Games: Big Bass Bonanza, Chilli Heat, Wolf Gold, The Dog House, Boom City Live, PowerUP Roulette. 

Few software providers are as diverse and as active as Pragmatic Play. The developer has established itself as a leading name in both the online slot and live casino worlds and is more than worthy of a place so high up on our list. 

4. Relax Gaming

  • Company Established: 2010
  • Portfolio: Slots
  • Overall gaming experience: When it comes to innovative slots and games, few have changed the landscape in recent times like Relax Gaming. The Money Train series was a huge hit for the developer, taking the classic respin mechanic and turning it into one of the most action-packed features on the internet. The introduction of the Dream Drop Jackpot, one of the biggest progressive jackpots on the internet, was also a huge step for the company and cemented its place as a major player. 
  • Themes: Varies
  • Top Games: Money Train 4, Money Cart 3, Temple Tumble 2: Dream Drop, Snake Arena, Sloth Tumble 

Relax Gaming is one of the most daring developers currently working, with the Money Train series being a massive hit with players. The Dream Drop jackpot has proven to be a game-changer for progressive jackpots, with players securing record-breaking wins regularly. Its slot releases feel like an event in itself, and the future looks incredibly bright for Relax. 

5. Playtech

  • Company Established: 1999
  • Portfolio: Slots, Live Casino
  • Overall gaming experience: Playtech is one of the oldest and most established developers and software providers in the iGaming industry. While its modern-day slot output might not be as active as other developers, its technology and platforms are still used to power many top online casinos. It also boasts an extensive live casino portfolio, with popular titles including Speed Roulette, Prestige Roulette, and Mini Baccarat. 
  • Themes: Varies
  • Top Games: Speed Roulette, Prestige Roulette, Big Bad Wolf, Mini Baccarat, Casino Hold’Em

Playtech is a top-quality software provider and is one of the most dependable names in the business. The live casino software is up there with the very best, and its platform has helped to take many top online casinos to the next level.

6. Games Global/Microgaming

  • Company Established: 2022
  • Portfolio: Slots
  • Overall gaming experience: Games Global made an immediate impact in the iGaming industry when it acquired Microgaming and all of its associated titles. Microgaming was an industry icon responsible for popular titles like Immortal Romance and Mega Moolah. While new titles are now released under the Games Global name, the quality still remains the same. 
  • Themes: Varies
  • Top Games: Mega Moolah, Immortal Romance, 9 Masks of Fire, Thunderstruck II, Book of Atem WOWPot 

Games Global has established itself as an industry powerhouse, with the Microgaming catalogue being widely adored by slot players. Classic titles like Immortal Romance and Thunderstruck II will always have a place, while games like 9 Masks of Fire, with its innovative Scatter-pay collection feature, have inspired many similar titles. 

7. NetEnt

  • Company Established: 1996
  • Portfolio: Slots
  • Overall gaming experience: NetEnt is one of the industry’s most iconic developers. It is responsible for popular titles like Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst, both of which are essential for newcomers to the online slot world and favourites among more experienced players. The studio still continues to develop new and exciting titles, releasing new slots every month, most of which have been warmly received by players. 
  • Themes: Varies
  • Top Games: Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst, Dead or Alive II, Divine Fortune, Finn & The Swirly Spin, Buster’s Bones. 

There are few developers responsible for as many iconic slots as NetEnt. Games like Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest were game-changers when they were released, and they are still among the most popular slots on the market now. The company’s acquisition by Evolution in 2020 also saw the unique crossover between some of these slots and live casino action, sparking an industry-wide trend for live-slot games. 

8. Betsoft

  • Company Established: 2006
  • Portfolio: Slots, Table Games, Video Poker
  • Overall gaming experience: Betsoft is one of the industry’s most colourful and creative software providers. It has a slot catalogue full of interesting themes and mechanics, with the Hold & Win feature, used in titles like Rise of Triton, Wish Granted, and Super Golden Dragon Inferno, being a massive success for the company. It also offers a selection of table and poker games, all of which boast stunning 3D graphics and stylish gameplay. 
  • Themes: Varies
  • Top Games: Wish Granted, Super Golden Dragon Inferno, Craps, Red Dog, Pirate 21, Deuces Wild Poker 

Betsoft is a company that prides itself on its creativity, and features like Hold & Win have become extremely popular with players. The provider’s selection of table games and video poker also helps to ensure its place among the industry’s best software providers. 

9. Yggdrasil 

  • Company Established: 2013
  • Portfolio: Slots
  • Overall gaming experience: Yggdrasil is one of the industry’s most daring software providers. Not only does it shine a light on other talented developers like Peter & Sons, Reel Play, and 4ThePlayer through the Yggdrasil Masters program, but it also develops its own unique titles and mechanics. Features like Gigablox, DoubleMax, and Infinity Reels are just some examples of the creativity we have seen from the company. 
  • Themes: Varies
  • Top Games: Easter Island 2, Vikings Go Berzerk, Valley of the Gods, Book of Books, Football Glory 

Yggdrasil may not be as hold as other providers on this list, but it hasn’t taken long to establish itself as a player at the top table. The studio is always looking for new and innovative ways to captivate audiences, as is shown by the Masters Program, which has been responsible for the launch of many top games. 

10. Quickspin

  • Company Established: 2011
  • Portfolio: Slots
  • Overall gaming experience: If it’s a collection of zany slots with memorable themes and characters you are looking for, then Quickspin is the developer for you. This software provider is full of creative ideas, with titles like Spinions Game Day, Feasting Fox, Cash Truck 2, and the Sticky Bandits series being just a few small examples of this. 
  • Themes: Varies
  • Top Games: Big Bad Wolf Megaways, Cash Truck, Feasting Fox, Mine & Melt, Book of Inferno 

Quickspin is one of the quirkiest software providers on the market, with a portfolio that screams creativity. The studio has a regular release schedule, and you can provide its products at many top online casinos.

Types of games every casino software provider makes

There are many different types of games you will encounter at online casinos, and that list is still growing. The following are the most common types of casino software provider games you can find at UK casinos. 

�� Casino games

Casino game is a catch-all phrase for any type of game that is traditionally played on a casino floor. This includes everything from table and card games to craps and other dice-based offerings. 

♣️ Poker games

Poker is one of the most popular card games in the world, and many developers want a slice of that pie. While some will develop poker software that pits players against one another, there are also a lot of video poker titles on the market that allow players to compete against computers and the house to win prizes. 

�� Lottery games

The lottery is an extremely popular way of betting, and many of the developers we have listed will also offer lottery games to players. These are mostly instant-win-style games, but some casinos may also run lottery-style bonuses and promotions. 

�� Instant-win games

Instant-win games do as they say on the tin; they provide players with the chance to score an instant win. Games like casinos, scratchcards, and bingo are often found in these categories. 

��️ Scratch cards

Scratch cards are a type of instant-win game where players scratch at a virtual card to find out whether or not they have won a prize. These are virtual versions of the scratchcards you can find in your local shop and will often have simple but fun themes, with a couple of features thrown in to spice up the action.

�� Slots

Slots are the most popular types of games you will find at an online casino. These can come in all shapes and sizes, with the classic 5x3 video slot set-up being the most popular. Slots are constantly developing, with mechanics like Megaways, Dream Drops, Link & Win, and more becoming increasingly popular. 

�� Live dealer games

Live dealer games give players the chance to enjoy a more immersive online casino experience from the comfort of their own homes. These use live streams to broadcast casino games directly to the user’s desktop or mobile device. The most common types of live casino games are table and card games like blackjack and roulette, with TV-show-style games like Dream Catcher and Monopoly Live being extremely popular, too. 

�� Table games

Table games are any casino games that take place at a table. Blackjack and roulette are by far the most common of these, with games like baccarat and craps also being extremely popular at top online casinos. 

�� Fishing games

Fishing is one of the most popular sub-genres of slots, with the collection gameplay mechanic being ubiquitous in online slots. Titles like Fishin Frenzy and Big Bass Bonanza are the reasons for this, with the latter inspiring a whole series of spin-offs and sequels. 

�� Jackpot games

Jackpot games are games that have a jackpot win available. There are two types of jackpots: fixed and progressive. Fixed jackpots have a prize that does not change, while progressive jackpots are ones that grow the more people play them and the longer they don’t pay out.

Types of casino software

  • Download Software: Downloadable casino software is quickly becoming a thing of the past, but you will still find it at some casinos. This is software that needs to be downloaded to allow you to play your favourite online slots and live casino games. 
  • Instant Play Software: Almost all modern casino games are instant play. This means players do not need to download any additional software or applications to play them. All of the slots that have been mentioned in this guide are instant-play titles. 
  • Mobile Software: Mobile gambling has become incredibly popular, with more gamblers spinning the reels on their mobiles than ever before. Developers will use HTML5 technology to ensure all of their slots are mobile-friendly, ensuring players can access their favourite slots on their mobile casinos wherever they are.
  • Live Casino Software: Live casino provides players with a more immersive gameplay experience. Providers like Evolution specialise in this, offering games like Live Roulette, Live Baccarat, and much more. In recent years, we have also seen the emergence of live TV-show and money-wheel-type games, as well as live versions of slots like Gonzo’s Quest

�� How does online casino software work?

Online casino games typically rely on a random number generator to ensure fairness. These are algorithms that ensure each spin of a reel or turn of a card is completely random and that neither the operator nor the player can have any impact on the outcome. 

In the UK, all casino software must be approved by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. Many casinos take the extra step of getting their games and software approved by third parties such as eCogra. 

Why pay attention to online casino software?

Casino software has a huge impact on your online playing experience. Not only does it impact the kind of games you will play, but it will also impact the loading speeds and availability of content. Different software and technology may not also be optimised or supported on different devices, which can be a pain if you want different gaming options.

⏲️ Does casino software have any impact on payout times?

No. The casino impacts payout times and how long they take to process payments. The top online casinos will offer fast withdrawal options for players, with payments being processed almost instantly. The games and software themselves have zero impact on this. 

Is there a best slots developer?

The answer to this is going to come down to personal preference. Some players prefer more established old-school developers like NetEnt or Play’n GO, while others like more dynamic and edgy modern providers like Nolimit City or Hacksaw Gaming. 

�� Do casino software providers deliver games in free demo modes as well?

Yes. All developers will also develop free-to-play versions of all of their best games. These can be an excellent way to try out games before you play for real money. As per UKGC regulations, players in the UK will need to verify their age and identity before they can access any online casino demos for free. 

Liam Hoofe

Liam is an experienced iGaming and sports betting journalist based in Cardiff. He has worked in the sports betting industry since 2017 and has provided content for some of the biggest casino and betting brands in the UK. He has also covered football and other sports for both regional and national newspapers. 

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

  • Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
  • Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
  • Never chase their losses
  • Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.