While online casinos have only started making legal waves in the United States in recent years, with only a handful of states legalizing online gambling, the history of online gaming software is already a few decades old. The first major players started offering their online casino services in 1994. Some of these early software providers have maintained an influential presence, and even more providers have popped up over the decades.
These nine iGaming software providers are a few of the biggest names you’ll find in the iGaming sphere, and here is how each has set itself apart in a competitive and lucrative industry.
1. Microgaming
Founded in 1994, Microgaming has made its name known thanks to its significant developments in the iGaming industry. Microgaming is known for developing the first online casino software in 1994 and the first mobile gaming software a decade later. Since then, the company has even created slot game software for Samsung smartwatches. These advances have made Microgaming one of the biggest software providers for online casinos and a pioneer in the iGaming industry.
In addition to these major software developments throughout its history, the company has created games themed around major movies and TV shows ranging from Tomb Raider and Jurassic Park to Game of Thrones. This partnership with beloved stories has helped keep this name relevant and exciting in the iGaming world, creating a competitive software provider.
2. IGT
IGT, which stands for International Game Technology, is an incredibly well-known iGaming software company that’s even included on the New York Stock Exchange. The company is known for its progressive gameplay, which makes it stand out among major players. Progressive play allows players to keep adding to the jackpot or potential winnings of a game every time they play a round but don’t win. This progressive playing means that players could end up with a huge payout over the course of playing.
Beyond these notable details, this software company has also worked to create gameplay across many countries and for many online casino clients. It often develops award-winning games, gaining it even further recognition.
3. Ainsworth Game Technology
Ainsworth, sometimes also referred to as AGT, started in the mid-1990s with cabinet games — the physical machines used on casino floors to play slot games. Today, the company continues to offer a wide range of physical and digital gaming options. Many of its slot games are available as online versions, making it a popular software provider.
4. Aristocrat
Aristocrat has been a key player in the casino industry since being founded in 1953. The company began in Australia and developed a global presence by the ‘70s. Like Ainsworth, it started by offering a host of land-based (in-person) gaming machines and systems, making a name for itself by developing the first five-reel slot machine game.
Since the early 2010s, it has grown its offering to include iGaming software for online casinos. It has continued to make strides by buying other gaming companies to help increase its digital footprint. From the sounds of it, it has no plans to slow down.
5. Betsoft
Betsoft is a well-known name in the iGaming industry, which is unsurprising since it’s partnered with over 200 online casinos. Unlike Ainsworth and Aristocat, the history behind Betsoft is shorter and jumps right to digital and mobile gaming, following a self-proclaimed “mobile-first mindset.” Betsoft opened its figurative doors in 2006 and has steadily grown since then. Today, the company offers various slots, arcade, and table games, has won many awards for its games, and is known for the quality of its graphics.
6. Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming was created with the idea of capturing the thrill and excitement of playing in person at a casino and bringing it home with live dealer gaming software. Like Betsoft, Evolution launched in 2006 but quickly went global. Although it started developing mobile gaming options that go beyond live dealer games, these live games have always been at the heart of its work.
It’s not just Evolution Gaming’s focus on live dealer games that has garnered this software platform so much success and recognition. It was also the signing of a major client, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, in 2018 that made this one of the biggest names in the online casino world.
7. NetEnt
Since 1996, NetEnt has been building a name for itself through land-based casinos and, in more recent years, through online casinos. It has set itself apart from other software providers through a unique selection of games and by leveraging the interests of its players by developing a review system to navigate online gaming and creating an affiliate program to promote its offers. It has leveraged social media and digital content in a unique way.
8. Novomatic
Novomatic was founded in 1980 in Austria and has become a well-known name in the iGaming software world. It is also the company behind Admiral, a well-known land-based casino chain and casino game whose brand ambassador is David Hasselhoff. This marketing tactic has likely played a considerable role in how this software provider became such a big name.
Of course, like the other software providers on this list, Novomatic has grown to encompass far more than land-based gaming machines and now also includes a wide range of arcade and slot games,
9. Pragmatic Play
Pragmatic Play is one of the youngest iGaming software companies on this list, founded in 2015. In its short time, it has won many awards and developed a global presence. Like many others listed here, it offers a vast array of casino games, plus it also provides software for sports betting, a trendy online gaming attraction.
Final Thoughts
These casino software providers bring us many of the games we love to play, including those with low minimum deposit required. They’ve brought us some of our favorite slot games like Mega Moolah, Pompeii, and Golden Goddess, and of course, have brought the fun and thrill of playing at a table with other players to the comfort of our homes. It’ll be interesting to see how these providers grow and progress as the online gaming industry evolves.