Software Providers

In the iGaming industry, the foundation is its platform, but the games players choose are the main drawcard in the online casino gaming business. The wider a gamer can cast his net regarding his choice of games is of primary importance; variety is, after all, the spice of life. Game titles and the software providers that develop them compete for the attention of the punter through their graphics and sound quality, themes, overall playability, special features, the regularity of new releases and, most importantly, being mobile-friendly. Online casino software providers face the highest tech expectations in their quest for exceptional game design in a competitive industry where providing the requisite top-level entertainment value and player engagement challenges abound.

A simple definition is when coding is used to create software and make it work for a given purpose and engage the user efficiently and cost-effectively. Many elements combine to develop sought-after casino games that will be enjoyed and reused by gamers using online casino platforms where profit growth is not possible for operators without first maintaining their original base of support. The casinos’ operators rely on the developers to do their part in maintaining that support base by providing the finest range of gaming content specifically tailored to meet the ever more discerning tastes of consumers. We have already touched on some of the important and innovative factors involved in the competition for market share. The following is a breakdown of how we rate casino software providers, the makers of the gaming content enjoyed by enthusiasts in this rapidly expanding industry.

There are various things that separate the top and trusted gaming software providers from regular providers. Here are some of the top things that set good software providers apart:

Licensing

The best software providers will be licensed and regulated by the respected gaming authorities in order to provide players with legal game options. The games will fall in line with the current legislation and be adapted to fit the restrictions. For instance, in the UK, no Autoplay or Turbo Mode features on slots are available per legislation. 

New Technology

Good providers also embrace the latest technology to enhance their game offerings and expand on special features. They’re not afraid to test out new things using the latest technology like AI, Metaverse or blockchain technology. This allows them to cater to traditional gaming platforms along with Metaverse casinos which make use of Web3 technologies like cryptocurrency, blockchain and NFTs. By utilising the latest technology features, they are able to transform their games from 2D to 3D and provide a fully immersive gaming experience. 

Great Bonuses and Promotions

Another must for a good software provider is to offer players a great range of bonuses and promotions on their latest and most popular games. This can also include mission or task-based tournaments where you can compete for mega payout. 

Fair Gaming Outcomes

The best providers will also subject games to testing by independent auditors to certify that games are fair with random outcomes. Games will make use of random number generator technology to allow a fair chance at winning with no rigging of outcomes.

When it comes to the security and fairness of online casino games, there are plenty of systems in place. Fair gaming is a top priority in regulated areas, with third-party auditors putting operators and games through the wringer to ensure they meet the requirements. 

A third-party auditor is completely independent and can objectively test software and platforms. It’s this independence of auditors that classifies them as a third party. As they are not directly involved and have no personal affiliation. 

These independent auditors are a vital part of the industry as they help gambling operators keep integrity. The auditors are responsible for determining the quality and fairness of casino games. Various companies do testing, including popular third-party auditors like eCOGRA, iTech Labs, and GLI.

We rate the best software providers in the iGaming industry by using various criteria, some of which are listed below. These are the most important factors companies need to pay special attention to when developing games played by millions of gamers across the globe in a highly competitive and ever-evolving market segment. Here are some of the criteria we examined.

Licensed and Regulated

The UK Gambling Commission adopted a newly licensed area facility in 2015 – software.
Gambling software, as defined in the Gambling Act of 2005, is computer software that is used to establish communication with remote gambling. Therefore, any software specifically designed for use in connection with online gambling must have such a licence. Obtaining a gambling licence from a service provider is necessary for a software provider planning to enter the UK market.

The first step in opening an online casino is obtaining the appropriate gaming licence. Online gambling is one of the most regulated industries in Europe. Licencing confirms the compliance of the software with the highest safety and trust standards and gives licence holders an advantage over unregulated competitors. Licences also allow software providers to offer their software under their brand names and the White Label form.

Random Number Generators

Random Number Generators (RNGs) are a crucial part of online casino games, providing the complete randomness necessary for the outcomes of the chance-based offerings. All licensed gambling sites use RNGs, regularly tested by independent authorities to ensure fairness at all times and as a deterrent to tampering by unscrupulous operators seeking to affect outcomes in their favour. RNGs ensure that results in playing gambling games online are totally random and make it possible for punters to actually win when playing their games of choice, happy in the knowledge that they’re using a secure gambling site that gives them a fair chance at success. Online casino games run using RNGs to make them dependent on luck. Software developers provide these programs and fit them when creating the games; therefore, the companies themselves determine payout metrics like RTP and volatility.

Legal and trustworthy gambling sites use RNG software that is regularly tested by independent auditors, ensuring that players have a fair and fun gaming experience at regulated online gambling venues. When a betting site is certified as fair, it essentially means the RNGs are random, and the certification seal is visible to punters on the pages of their selected gambling site.

Themes

Software providers have much to consider when creating online casino games, the theme being chief among them. Themes refer to the genre, storyline or basis of any entertainment-based game. Many themes are available to punters in the online gaming market. They are particularly important to those who identify with and develop a theme of loyalty, much the same as your brand loyalty for sneakers. The top software providers have the widest range of themes within their gaming portfolios, much like the top car manufacturers have an extensive range of models: the more variety, the more marketable the brand.

Like movie genres, whether horror, drama or musical, gaming themes would, by comparison, be underwater-themed, popular animation-themed or space-themed. There are other important elements in gaming creation, but the game’s theme is the original attractive feature for most gamers across the board.

Sound and Graphics

Like the themes used by software providers in making online casino games, an integral part of the playability of various gaming titles is the superb soundtracks, sound effects and certainly high-end graphics coupled with the most successful games by the top games makers in the industry. Our list below contains the industry leaders, and it is no coincidence that these industry leaders have best incorporated these elements of excellent sound and graphics into their production process.

Mobile Friendly

All of the reviewed software providers listed below are industry leaders; as such, all their gaming offerings are available for mobile devices. This is because the most popular casino games worldwide are played on the fastest-growing gaming medium, the mobile market, smartphones (most notably iPhones), and tablets. It is estimated that some 57% of games played at online casinos are played on handheld mobile devices, a trend certainly not ignored by our top-listed competitors in the industry.

Special Features

All the top developers of casino games are well aware that very few gamers would opt for games of chance where special features or chance multipliers in the form of bonus spins or jackpots are overlooked or undersupplied. After all, the winnings are the gamer’s biggest motivating factor, so improving the odds of an overall win boosts a title’s standing and popularity among players. Special features boost the time gamers spend online in the pursuit of bonuses, free games and spins, ect.

Regular New Releases

All the software providers mentioned here regularly release new titles to retain their existing player base and expand their appeal amongst gamers, who, much like moviegoers, are ever hungry for new titles and playing experiences. The highest-rated providers in the business are those constantly adding to their expansive archives through renewed interest in their brands through regular new releases.

Awards

The more industry awards a software provider has scooped sees, them being more highly rated. There are many awards ceremonies worldwide, such as the 11th annual 2023 DEVIES Awards night, honouring the finest developers, software engineers and the IT industry. Much the same as other industries, software providers being recognised for their high industry standards and excellence in the form of awards pays dividends in being recognised as a trusted brand.