A lot of attention can go on bonuses and promotions, but the gaming software is actually more important when it comes to defining the standard of online casino sites.
Here, you shall gain insights into why software is important and how you can judge its quality among online casinos.
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Why care about software?
Fundamentally, a higher level of software drawn from a wider selection of quality developers shall ensure that you have a much stronger range of games.
In years gone by, the online casino market was one where the top-level software developers would strike exclusive provision arrangements with operators.
As a result, there was a degree of stagnation in the marketplace.
For players, they had to sign up with new casino sites if they wanted to play games from key developers, such as NetEnt, Playtech, and Microgaming.
Not every casino operator when with that approach, but it certainly was the dominant strategy.
More recently, it became clear that players wanted better games and a greater selection of games.
For the game-changing casino sites, they began to work with multiple software providers.
In turn, this ensured players would have access to new game releases from major software providers.
Which are the top developers?
There is a handful of massive software vendors, while an even larger group of smaller studios are now servicing the marketplace.
A modern casino site will typically work with at least a few operators, but some will go much further and work with more than 20.
There is no a vast number of developers providing to online casino operators, but these are some of the standouts:
• Amaya: DC slots have been a significant success for Amaya, which has previously created games based on Superman and Wonder Woman.
• BetSoft: the company makes table games, but is much more renowned for its development of 3D slots, including Gypsy Rose and Good Girls Gone Bad.
• Evolution Gaming: after beginning in Latvia, this live casino specialist now maintains several other studios across the globe.
• IGT: the company opened in 1975 Las Vegas and was acquired by Gtech in 2015. IGT develops slots for casino sites and machines for land-based locations.
• Microgaming: opened in 1994 as one of the earliest providers. Microgaming creates software across video slots and table games.
• NetEnt: this Swedish developer began in 1996 and now excels at making video slots, table games, live dealers, and is even trialling VR casino games.
• NYX: a global software provider that collectively shares games from NextGen, ELK, 1X2, Thunderkick, Blueprint, Lightning Box, Leander, Scientific Games, and others.
• Playtech: the developer is renowned for making branded slots, but has also make table games, live casino games, instant games, and more.
• Yggdrasil: video slots are the clear strength of Yggdrasil, with the key titles comprised of Jungle Books, Rainbow Ryan, and Vikings Go Berzerk.
You can expect to encounter plenty of other software providers out there. The above list is merely intended to highlight the strongest providers you can encounter.
How can I check casino software?
Casino software isn’t always simple to check, as some casino sites don’t feel that it’s important to share the names of the developers they are partnered with.
In some cases, there are casinos that will give you the chance to read the names, but you need to be able to check for yourself.
There isn’t a guaranteed strategy for checking the software of every online casino, but there are a few methods you can adopt when you next analyse a site.
The following suggestions should help you find more information on a casino:
• Homepage check: now that you know the names of some top developers, you can start looking for their listings at the bottom of casino homepages. There are plenty of casinos that will use this area to highlight their software partners.
• Games library: this option isn’t always reliable, but there are some casino sites where you can segment games based on the company that provided them. You can try to look for this feature in the search bar of games libraries.
• Game loading screens: after choosing to play a game that appeals to you, it’s advisable to look at the loading screen, as this will communicate the developer of the game. This can help you build knowledge on who made which games.
• Google searches: this method requires a little more work, but delivers consistent results for judging slots. Basically, you can perform a Google search of [NAME + SLOT REVIEW] and look at the small search text on the page to try and identify the developer.
In judging casino software, you want to find a gathering of at least a few recognisable developers – otherwise the game selection can be limited. This is especially true for table games and live dealers, which are produced by a smaller group of software developers.
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Author
Mitko Atanasov
Mitko Atanasov is a highly respected expert in the online casino and slot review industry, boasting over 15 years of experience. He is dedicated to providing unbiased and accurate reviews, empowering players to make informed decisions. His vast knowledge and expertise make him a trusted source of information for both novice and experienced players.